580,000,000 81/2% Senior Notes due 2013


Exhibit 4.3

 

Execution Copy

 

Ship Finance International Limited

 

$580,000,000 81/2% Senior Notes due 2013

 

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

December 18, 2003

 

XXXXXXXXX & COMPANY, INC.

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

c/x Xxxxxxxxx & Company, Inc.

000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Ship Finance International Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (the “Company”) is issuing and selling to Xxxxxxxxx & Company, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (the “Initial Purchasers”), upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement dated December 11, 2003, by and among the Company, Frontline and the Initial Purchasers (the “Purchase Agreement”) a $580,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 81/2% Senior Notes due 2013 (each, a “Note” and collectively, the “Notes”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company on behalf of itself and the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) agree with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Notes (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), as follows:

 

1.                                      Definitions.  Capitalized terms that are used herein without definition and are defined in the Purchase Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Additional Interest:  See Section 4.1.

 

Advice:  See Section 5.22.

 

Agreement:  This Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers.

 

Applicable Period:  See Section 2.5.

 

Business Day:  A day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.

 

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Closing Date:  The date the Notes were sold to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

Company:  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Day:  Unless otherwise expressly provided, a calendar day.

 

Effectiveness Date:  The 210th day after the Closing Date.

 

Effectiveness Period:  See Section 3.1.

 

Exchange Act:  The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Notes:  The Senior Notes due 2013 of the Company, identical in all material respects to the Notes, including the guarantees endorsed thereon, except for restrictive legends and additional interest provisions.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement:  See Section 2.1.

 

Filing Date:  The 120th day after the Closing Date.

 

Holder:  Any registered holder of Registrable Notes.

 

Indemnified Party:  See Section 7.3.

 

Indemnifying Party:  See Section 7.3.

 

Indenture:  The Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Initial Purchasers:  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Initial Shelf Registration:  See Section 3.1.

 

Inspectors:  See Section 5.15.

 

Losses:  See Section 7.1.

 

NASD:  National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

 

Notes:  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Participating Broker-Dealer:  See Section 2.5.

 

Person:  An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association, firm, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other legal entity.

 

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Prospectus:  The prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

Purchase Agreement:  See the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Records:  See Section 5.15.

 

Registrable Notes:  Each Note until the first to occur of (i) the date on which such Note has been exchanged by a person other than a Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of a 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, (iii) the date on which such Note has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration or (iv) the date on which such Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or may be distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

 

Registration Statement:  Any registration statement of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Act (including, but not limited to, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) that covers any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

Rule 144:  Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer or such securities being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A:  Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

Rule 415:  Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

Rule 430A:  Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

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SEC:  The Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities:  The Notes and the Exchange Notes.

 

Securities Act:  The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Shelf Notice:  See Section 2.9.

 

Shelf Registration:  See Section 3.2.

 

Subsequent Shelf Registration:  See Section 3.2.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor:  Each subsidiary of the Company that guarantees the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture.

 

TIA:  The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Trustee:  The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and the Notes.

 

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering:  A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

2.                                      Exchange Offer.

 

2.1                                 Unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by applicable federal law or a policy of the SEC, the Company shall (and shall cause each Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to its guarantee to) (i) prepare and file with the SEC promptly after the date hereof, but in no event later than the Filing Date, a registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to an offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to the Holders of Registrable Notes to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes, (ii) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof, but in no event later than the Effectiveness Date, (iii) keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective until the consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with its terms, and (iv) commence the Exchange Offer and issue on or prior to 30 days after the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective, Exchange Notes in exchange for all Notes tendered prior thereto in the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC.

 

2.2                                 The Exchange Notes shall be issued under, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture or a trust indenture that is identical to the Indenture (other than such changes as are necessary to comply with any requirements of the SEC to effect or maintain the qualifications thereof under the TIA).

 

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2.3                                 Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of original issue of the Notes. Each Exchange Note shall bear interest at the rate set forth thereon; provided, that interest with respect to the period prior to the issuance thereof shall accrue at the rate or rates borne by the Notes from time to time during such period.

 

2.4                                 The Company may require each Holder as a condition to participation in the Exchange Offer to represent in writing, that at the time of consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the commencement and consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) such Holder is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company, or if such Holder is an affiliate of the Company it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable to it, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Notes and (v) if such Holder is a Participating Broker-Dealer, it will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes.

 

2.5                                 The Company shall include within the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution” which shall contain all information that the SEC may require with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired by it as a result of market-making or other trading activity (a “Participating Broker-Dealer”). Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also allow, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent so permitted, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the manner in which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for 180 days after consummation of the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that (i) in the case where such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer or the Initial Purchasers, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days and the date on which all Participating Broker-Dealers and the Initial Purchasers have sold all Exchange Notes held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to Section 5.11 below) and (ii) the Company shall make such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto available to any Participating Broker-Dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes for a period not less than 90 days after the consummation of the Exchange Offer (the “Applicable Period”).

 

2.6                                 In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

 

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2.6.1                        mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

 

2.6.2                        utilize the services of a depository for the Exchange Offer, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate thereof;

 

2.6.3                        permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

 

2.6.4                        otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable laws.

 

2.7                                 As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer the Company shall:

 

2.7.1                        accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and not validly withdrawn;

 

2.7.2                        deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and

 

2.7.3                        cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder tendering such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, equal in principal amount at maturity to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

 

2.8                                 The Exchange Notes shall be issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the Indenture, which in either event will provide that the Exchange Notes will not be subject to the transfer restrictions or additional interest provisions set forth in the Indenture and that the Exchange Notes and Notes, if any, will be deemed one class of security (subject to the provisions of the Indenture) and entitled to participate in all the security granted by the Company and in any Guarantee (as such terms are defined in the Indenture) on an equal and ratable basis.

 

2.9                                 If, (i) any change in law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC would not permit the consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated by this Section 2, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 30 days after the effective date of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) in the case (A) of any Holder not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy to participate in the Exchange offer or (B) any Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer but does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act) and, in either case, so notifies the Company within 45 days of consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) the Company so elects, then the Company (and any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor) shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof (the “Shelf Notice”) and shall file an Initial Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 below.

 

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3.                                      Shelf Registration.  If a Shelf Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 2.9 hereof, then this Section 3 shall apply to all Registrable Notes.  Otherwise, upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with Section 2 hereof, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply solely with respect to (i) Notes held by any Holder thereof not permitted by applicable law or SEC policy to participate in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Exchange Notes that are not freely tradeable as contemplated by Section 2.9(iii) hereof, provided in each case that the relevant Holder has duly notified the Company within 45 days of the Exchange Offer as required by Section 2.9(iii) hereof.

 

3.1                                 Initial Shelf Registration.  The Company shall as promptly as practicable after the date of the Shelf Notice file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes (the “Initial Shelf Registration”).  If the Company (and any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor) have not yet filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement prior to receiving the Shelf Notice, the Company shall file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date and shall cause such Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date.  Otherwise, the Company shall file (and shall cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration as promptly as practicable but in no event later than 30 days of the delivery of the Shelf Notice and shall cause such Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable thereafter (but in no event more than 90 days after delivery of the Shelf Notice).  The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or manners reasonably designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings).  The Company will not and will cause the Subsidiary Guarantors not to permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in any Shelf Registration.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is two years from the Closing Date (the “Effectiveness Period”), or such shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared effective under the Securities Act.

 

3.2                                 Subsequent Shelf Registrations.  If the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below) ceases to be effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation of effectiveness amend such Shelf Registration in a manner designed to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file (and cause any then existing Subsidiary Guarantor to file) an additional “shelf” Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”).  If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for a period equal to the number of days in

 

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the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective.  As used herein the term “Shelf Registration” means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registrations.

 

3.3                                 Supplements and Amendments.  The Company shall promptly supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act.

 

4.                                      Additional Interest.

 

4.1                                 The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Holders of Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Company agrees to pay additional cash interest on the Notes (“Additional Interest”) under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent effect):

 

4.1.1                        if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the date required by this Agreement, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above any stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days immediately following the Filing Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

4.1.2                        if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective on or prior to the Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Company has consummated or will consummate an Exchange Offer, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the date required by this Agreement, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above any stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of such Notes for the first 90 days immediately following the Effectiveness Date, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

4.1.3                        if (A) the Company has not exchanged Exchange Notes for all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to 30 days after the Effectiveness Date, (B) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time prior to the time that the Exchange Offer is consummated, (C) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time prior to the second anniversary of its effective date (other than such time as all Notes have been disposed of thereunder) and is not declared effective again within 30 days, or (D) pending the announcement of a material corporate transaction, the Company issue a written notice pursuant to Section 5.5(v) or (vi) hereof that a Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration

 

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Statement is unusable and the aggregate number of days in any 365-day period for which all such notices issued or required to be issued, have been, or were required to be, in effect exceeds 120 days in the aggregate or 30 days consecutively, in the case of a Shelf Registration, or 15 days in the aggregate in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes, over and above any stated interest, at a rate of 0.50% per annum in excess of the interest rate of the principal amount of such Notes commencing on (w) the 31st Business Day after the Effectiveness Date, in the case of (A) above, or (x) the date the Exchange Offer Registration Statement ceases to be effective without being declared effective again within 30 days, in the case of clause (B) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective in the case of (C) above, or (z) the day the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration ceases to be usable in case of clause (D) above, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period, subject to the proviso in the last sentence of this paragraph;

 

provided, however, that Additional Interest will not accrue under more than one of the foregoing clauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 at any one time; provided, further, however, that the maximum Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed in the aggregate 1.00% per annum; and provided further, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Initial Shelf Registration (in the case of 4.1.1 above), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Initial Shelf Registration (in the case of 4.1.2 above), or (3) upon the exchange of Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the case of 4.1.3(A) above), or upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that had ceased to remain effective (in the case of clause 4.1.3(B) above), or upon the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain effective (in the case of 4.1.3(C) above), Additional Interest on the Notes as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof) or upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in the case of clause 4.1.3(D) above), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.

 

4.1.4                        The Company shall notify the Trustee within 2 Business Days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid.  Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clauses 4.1.1, 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 of this Section 4 will be payable in cash, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Indenture and whether or not any cash interest would then be payable on such date, commencing with the first such semi-annual date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue.  The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.

 

5.                                      Registration Procedures. In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall effect such registrations to permit the exchange or sale of such securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Company hereunder, the Company shall:

 

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5.1                                 Prepare and file with the SEC as soon as practicable but in any event on or prior to the applicable Filing Date, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed because of the circumstances contemplated by Section 2.9 hereof, a Shelf Registration as prescribed by Section 3 hereof, and cause each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that, if (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto relating thereto, the Company shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes to be registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration, or each Participating Broker-Dealer and to their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least 5 Business Days prior to such filing).  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect in each such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto when filed with the SEC, such comments as the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes may reasonably prepare, if the Holders must provide information for the inclusion in such Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

5.2                                 Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture (or other indenture relating to the Registrable Notes) to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement; and in connection therewith, to effect such changes to such indenture as may be required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

 

5.3                                 Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to each of them with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus.  The Company shall not, during the Applicable Period, voluntarily take any action that would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period, unless such action is required by applicable law, rule or regulation or permitted by this Agreement.

 

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5.4                                 Furnish to such selling Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers who so request (i) upon the Company’s receipt, a copy of the order of the SEC declaring such Registration Statement and any post effective amendment thereto effective, (ii) such reasonable number of copies of such Registration Statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including any documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits) and (iii) such reasonable number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and each amendment and supplement thereto, and such reasonable number of copies of the final Prospectus as filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and each amendment and supplement thereto. The Company hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment thereto.

 

5.5                                 If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, the Company shall notify in writing the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within 5 Business Days) (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective (including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Notes the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5.14 hereof cease to be true and correct, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition of any information becoming known to the Company that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in, or amendments or supplements to, such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and

 

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(vi) of any reasonable determination by the Company that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

 

5.6                                 Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible date.

 

5.7                                 If (A) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period or (C) reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information or revisions to information therein relating to such underwriters or selling Holders as the managing underwriters, if any, or such Holders or their counsel reasonably request in writing to be included or made therein and (ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplements or post-effective amendment.

 

5.8                                 Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer or any managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably request in writing and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

5.9                                 If (A) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof or (B) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is requested to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which

 

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certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company, and enable such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably request.

 

5.10                           Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder’s business, in which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filling of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals; provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

 

5.11                           If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs 5.5(v) of 5.5(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable, prepare and file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Company, a supplement of post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

5.12                           Use its reasonable best efforts to, if the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement have been rated prior to the Closing Date, confirm that such ratings will apply to the Exchange Notes covered by such Registration Statement.

 

5.13                           Prior to the initial issuance of the Exchange Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with one or more certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Exchange Notes.

 

5.14                           If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances) and take all such other actions in connection therewith as may be reasonably requested in writing by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes, and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an

 

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Underwritten Registration, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the Holders and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as then conducted, and the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and confirm the same if and when reasonably required; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold), addressed to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions of counsel to the Company requested in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances; (iii) use reasonable efforts to obtain “cold comfort” letters and updates thereof (which letters and updates (in form, scope and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters) from the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “cold comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes, as may be appropriate in the circumstances, and such other matters as reasonably requested in writing by the underwriters; and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested in writing by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Company and its subsidiaries made pursuant to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other similar agreement entered into by the Company.

 

5.15                           If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Records”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all information reasonably requested in writing by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records confidential and not disclose any of the Records unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) the information in such Records is public or has been

 

14

 

made generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Inspector or (iv) disclosure of such information is, in the reasonable written opinion of counsel for any Inspector, necessary or advisable in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, related to, or involving this Agreement, or any transaction contemplated hereby or arising hereunder. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public. Each Inspector, each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and, to the extent practicable, use their reasonable best efforts to allow the Company to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential at its expense.

 

5.16                           Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally available to the securityholders of the Company with regard to any applicable Registration Statement earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods.

 

5.17                           Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders participating in the Exchange Offer, to the effect that (i) the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Exchange Notes and the Indenture and (ii) the Exchange Notes and the Indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to customary United States and foreign exceptions.

 

5.18                           If the Exchange Offer is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by the Holders to the Company (or to such other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes the Company shall xxxx, or caused to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that the Exchange Notes are being issued as substitute evidence of the indebtedness originally evidenced by the Registrable Notes; provided that in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

 

5.19                           Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD.

 

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5.20                           Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

 

The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such seller or Participating Broker-Dealer and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request in writing. The Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time (which time in no event shall exceed 45 days) after receiving such request. Each seller of Registrable Notes or Participating Broker-Dealer as to which any registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished by such seller not materially misleading.

 

Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5.5(ii), 5.5(iv), 5.5(v), or 5.5(vi), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement and such Participating Broker-Dealer will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Exchange Notes pursuant to any Prospectus and, in each case, forthwith discontinue dissemination of such Prospectus until such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5.11, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s or Participating Broker-Dealer’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Notes current at the time of the receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5.11 or (y) the Advice.

 

6.                                      Registration Expenses.

 

6.1                                 All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company, whether or not the Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, including, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees, including, without limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with any underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws as provided in Section 5.8 hereof, (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing a reasonable number of Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or by any Participating Broker-Dealer

 

16

 

during the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses incurred in connection with the performance of the their obligations hereunder, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5 (including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, (vii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (viii) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company, (ix) internal expenses of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense of any annual audit, (xi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and the Exchange Agent and (xii) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement (other than underwriting discounts and commissions).

 

6.2                                 The Company shall reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes to be included in any Registration Statement for fees and disbursements incurred in connection with such Registration Statement. The Company shall pay all documentary, stamp, transfer or other transactional taxes (other than federal, state or local taxes of the Initial Purchasers) attributable to the issuance or delivery of the Exchange Notes in exchange for the Notes; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay taxes payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of any Exchange Note in a name other than that of the Holder of the Note in respect of which such Exchange Note is being issued. The Company shall reimburse the Holders for reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes relating to any enforcement of any rights of the Holders under this Agreement.

 

7.                                      Indemnification.

 

7.1                                 Indemnification by the Company. The Company will, and will cause the Subsidiary Guarantors to, jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes, Exchange Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, each Person, if any, who controls each such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors and partners of each such Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer and controlling person from and against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees as provided in this Section 7) and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending against any of the foregoing) (collectively, “Losses”), insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any preliminary prospectus, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such Losses result solely from information relating to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer and furnished in writing to

 

17

 

the Company (or reviewed and approved in writing) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer or their counsel expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will not be liable to any Indemnified Party (as defined below) under this Section 7 to the extent Losses resulted solely from an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto if (i) any such Losses resulted from an action, claim or suit by any Person who purchased Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the subject thereof from such Indemnified Party and (ii) it is established in the related proceeding that such Indemnified Party failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required by applicable law, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the Company with Section 5 of this Agreement.

 

7.2                                 Indemnification by Holder.  Each Holder shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their respective directors and each Person, if any, who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers and partners of such controlling persons, from and against all Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or any 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 insofar as such Losses are finally judicially determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact, alleged omission of any material fact contained in or omitted from any information so furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company expressly for use in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the liability of any selling Holder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of payment of all expenses) received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Notes giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

 

7.3                                 Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.  If any proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party or parties from which such indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party” or “Indemnifying Parties”, as applicable) in writing; provided, that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Parties shall not relieve the Indemnifying Parties from any obligation or liability except to the extent (but only to the extent) that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal) that the Indemnifying Parties have been prejudiced materially by such failure. In case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the Indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may determine, jointly with any other Indemnifying Party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party to represent

 

18

 

the Indemnified Party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest under applicable standards of professional responsibility, (ii) the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel in writing that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it and/or other Indemnified Parties that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party to represent the Indemnified Party within a reasonable time after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of notice of the institution of such action, then, in each such case, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party or Parties and such Indemnified Party or Parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to defend such action on behalf of such Indemnified Party or Parties at the expense of the Indemnifying Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and approval by such Indemnified Party of counsel appointed to defend such action, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Section 7 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof, unless (i) the Indemnified Party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that in connection with such action the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel) in any one action or separate but substantially similar actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances) or (ii) the Indemnifying Party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the Indemnified Party at the expense of the Indemnifying Party.

 

No Indemnifying Party shall be liable for any settlement of any such proceeding effected without its written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such proceeding, each Indemnifying Party jointly and severally agrees, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth above, to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all Losses by reason of such settlement or judgment. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such proceeding for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Party is a party thereto).

 

7.4                                 Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or is insufficient to hold such Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses in respect of which this Section 7 would otherwise apply by its terms (other than by reason of exceptions provided in this Section 7), then each applicable Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall have a joint and several obligation to contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and such Indemnified Party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or

 

19

 

alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include any reasonable legal or other fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any proceeding, to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in Section 7.1 or 7.2 was available to such party. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7.4 were determined by pro rata allocation or by other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7.4, a selling Holder shall not be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of such Holder’s Maximum Contribution Amount. A selling Holder’s “Maximum Contribution Amount” shall equal the excess of (i) the aggregate proceeds received by such Holder pursuant to the sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes over (ii) the aggregate amount of damages that 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 Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties.

 

8.                                      Rules 144 and 144A.  The Company covenants that it shall file the reports required to be filed by it (if so required) under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the written request of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available other information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 and 144A. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such information and requirements.

 

9.                                      Underwritten Registrations of Registrable Notes.

 

If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration is to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable Notes included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers must be reasonably acceptable to the Company and such Holders shall be responsible for all underwriting commissions in connection therewith.

 

No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in nay underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

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10.                               Miscellaneous.

 

10.1                           No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not entered, as of the date hereof, and the Company shall not enter, after the date of this Agreement, into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  The Company has not entered and will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities that will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with respect to a Registration Statement.

 

10.2                           Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes in circumstances that would adversely affect any Holders of Registrable Notes; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section 10.2 may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders or Registrable Notes whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer or sold pursuant to a Notes Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being tendered of being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Notes Registration Statement.

 

10.3                           Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, registered first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:

 

(i)                                     if to a Holder of Securities or to any Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the registrar of the Notes, with a copy in like manner to the Initial Purchasers as follows:

 

Xxxxxxxxx & Company, Inc.

000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000

Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000

Attention: General Counsel

 

With a copy to:

Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P.

0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000

Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000

Attention: T. Xxxx Xxxxx, Esq.

 

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(ii)                                  if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address specified in Section 10.3(i);

 

(iii)                               if to the Company, as follows:

 

Ship Finance International Ltd.

Par-la-Ville Place,

00 Xxx-xx-Xxxxx Xxxx

Xxxxxxxx, XX 00 Xxxxxxx

Xxxxxxxxx No.: 147-23-11-40-44

Attention: Xxx Xxxxxx

 

With a copy to:

 

Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP

Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000

Attention: Xxxx Xxxxx, Esq.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery; and when receipt is acknowledged by the addressee, if telecopied.

 

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee under the Indenture at the address specified in such Indenture.

 

10.4                           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Securities.

 

10.5                           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in various counterparts, which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

10.6                           Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

10.7                           Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAW.

 

10.8                           Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process.  The Company hereby (a) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) irrevocably waives

 

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any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.  The Company has irrevocably appointed Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP as its Authorized Agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby that may be instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York by the Initial Purchasers or Holder or by any person who controls either of the Initial Purchasers or Holder, and the Company expressly consents to the personal jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding, and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law waive any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto.  The Company represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid.  Service of process upon the Authorized Agent and written notice of such service to the Company shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company for purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding instituted in any state or federal court in the State of New York.  Nothing herein shall affect the right of any Holder to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Company in any other jurisdiction.

 

10.9                           Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

10.10                     Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates.  Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Securities is required hereunder, Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

 

10.11                     Third Party Beneficiaries.  Holders and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.

 

10.12                     Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Purchase Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understanding, correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Initial Purchasers on the one hand and the Company on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein and replaced hereby.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above,

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

SHIP FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

  Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

  Title: Director, Secretary and Attorney-In-Fact

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted and Agreed to:

 

 

 

 

 

XXXXXXXXX & COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx Xx.

 

 

 

  Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx Xx.

 

 

  Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx

 

 

 

  Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx

 

 

  Title: Senior Vice President & Counsel

 

 

 


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Filed: May 21st, 2004
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