Transfer Agency and Service Agreement Among Each of the GabeIli Closed End Investment Companies Listed on Exhibit A Hereto Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare Inc.
Exhibit (k)(i)
Among
Each of the GabeIli Closed End Investment Companies Listed on
Exhibit A Hereto
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
and
Computershare Inc.
Section 1.
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Certain Definitions
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3
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Section 2.
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Appointment of Agent
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3
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Section 3.
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Standard Services
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5
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Section 4.
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan Services
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6
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Section 5.
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Computershare Dividend Disbursing and Payment Services
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6
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Section 6.
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Optional Services
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7
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Section 7.
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Fees and Expenses
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7
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Section 8.
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Representations and Warranties
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8
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Section 9.
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Indemnification and Limitation of Liability
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9
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Section 10.
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Damages
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10
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Section 11.
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Responsibilities of the Company
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11
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Section 12.
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Confidentiality
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11
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Section 13.
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Term and Termination
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12
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Section 14.
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Assignment
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13
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Section 15.
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Unaffiliated Third Parties
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13
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Section 16.
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Miscellaneous
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14
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2
AGREEMENT made as of the 1st day of January, 2011 by and among each of the Gabelli closed-end investment companies listed on Exhibit A, a corporation, having its principal office and place of business at Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx, XX 00000 (the "Company"), and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company, having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 (collectively, the 'Transfer Agent" or individually, "Computershare" and the "Trust Company", respectively).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to appoint the Trust Company as sole transfer agent, registrar and administrator of its dividend reinvestment plan or direct stock purchase plan, and Computershare as dividend disbursing agent and processor of all payments received or made by Company under this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Trust Company and Computershare will each separately provide specified services covered by this Agreement and, in addition, the Trust Company may arrange for Computershare to act on behalf of the Trust Company in providing certain of its services covered by this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trust Company and Computershare desire to accept such respective appointments and perform the services related to such appointments;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.1 "Account" shall mean the account of each Shareholder which holds any full or fractional shares of stock held by such Shareholder, outstanding funds, or reportable tax information.
1.2 "Agreement" shall mean this agreement and any and all exhibits or schedules attached hereto and any and all amendments or modifications which may from time to time be executed.
1.3 "Services" shall mean all services performed by the Transfer Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
1.4 "Share" shall mean Company's common stock, par value $ per share, and Company's preferred stock, par value $ per share, authorized by the Company's Articles of Incorporation, and other classes of Company's stock to be designated by the Company in writing and which the Transfer Agent agrees to service under this Agreement.
1.5 "Shareholder" shall mean the holder of record of Shares.
1.6 "Shareholder Data" shall mean all information maintained on the records database of the Transfer Agent concerning Shareholders.
1.7 "Plans" shall mean any Dividend Reinvestment, Direct Stock Purchase, or other investment programs administered for the Company.
3
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(a)
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Copies of resolutions appointing the Trust Company as the transfer agent;
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(b)
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Copies of Registration Statements and amendments thereto, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for initial public offerings;
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(c)
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Specimens of all forms of outstanding stock certificates for Shares, in forms approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, with a certificate of the Secretary of the Company as to such approval;
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(d)
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Specimens of the signatures of the officers of the Company authorized to sign stock certificates and authorized to sign written instructions and requests;
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(e)
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An opinion of counsel for the Company addressed to both the Trust Company and Computershare with respect to:
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(i)
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The Company's organization and existence under the laws of its state of organization;
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(ii)
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The status of all Shares of the Company covered by the appointment under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and any other applicable federal or state statute; and
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(iii)
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That all issued Shares are, and all unissued Shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
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(f)
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A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company;
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(g)
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Copies of all material amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company made after the date of this Agreement, promptly after such amendments are made; and
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(h)
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A certificate of the Company as to the Shares authorized, issued and outstanding, as well as a description of all reserves of unissued Shares relating to the exercise of options.
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4
requirements of law, and will be surrendered promptly to the Company on and in accordance with its request.
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(a)
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issue and record the appropriate number of Shares as authorized and hold such Shares in the appropriate Shareholder Account;
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(b)
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effect transfers of Shares by the registered owners thereof upon receipt of appropriate documentation; and
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(c)
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Replacement Certificates. The Transfer Agent shall issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to it and holding it and the Company harmless, absent notice to the Company and the Transfer Agent that such certificates have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser. The Transfer Agent may, at its option, issue replacement certificates in place of mutilated stock certificates upon presentation thereof without such indemnity. Further, the Transfer Agent may, at its sole option, accept indemnification from the Company to issue replacement certificates for those certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed in lieu of an open penalty bond.
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(a)
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Shareholder Internet Services. The Transfer Agent shall provide internet access to Company's Shareholders through Transfer Agent's web site, xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx ("Shareholder Internet Services"), pursuant to its established procedures ("Security Procedures") and fees, to allow Shareholders to view their Account information and perform certain on-line transactions. The Shareholder Internet Services are provided "as is," on an "as available" basis, and Transfer Agent hereby specifically disclaims any and all representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding such Services, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and implied warranties arising from course of dealing or course of performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in providing Shareholder Internet Services, the Transfer Agent will comply with
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5
all applicable laws concerning consent to deliver and delivery of documents electronically.
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(b)
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Issuer Online. Transfer Agent shall provide Company with access to Shareholder Data maintained on the Transfer Agent's databases and computer system through the Internet ("Issuer Online") subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and pursuant to the Transfer Agent's established procedures, to be provided to the Company.
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(c)
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Proprietary Information. The Company acknowledges that the databases, computer programs, screen formats, report formats, interactive design techniques, and documentation manuals furnished to the Company by Transfer Agent as part of Issuer Online, or otherwise, is under the control and ownership of the Transfer Agent or other third party (including its affiliates) and constitutes copyrighted, trade secret, or other proprietary information (collectively, "Proprietary Information") of substantial value to the Transfer Agent or other third party. In no event shall Proprietary Information be deemed Shareholder Data. The Company agrees to treat all Proprietary Information as confidential in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 of this Agreement.
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(d)
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Third Party Content. Organizations from which the Transfer Agent may obtain certain data included in the Services are solely responsible for the contents of such data and the Company agrees to make no claim against the Transfer Agent arising out of the contents of such third party data, including, but not limited to, the accuracy thereof.
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(e)
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Employees and Agents. Each party shall take reasonable efforts to advise its employees and agents of their respective obligations pursuant to this Section 3.3.
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4.1 The Trust Company shall perform all services under the Plans, as the administrator of such Plans, with the exception of payment processing for which Computershare has been appointed as agent by Company, and certain other services that the Trust Company may subcontract to Computershare as permitted by applicable law (e.g. ministerial services).
4.2 The Transfer Agent shall act as agent for Shareholders pursuant to the Plans in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plans.
6
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(a)
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Employee Stock Purchase or Option Plan services; and
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(b)
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Corporate Actions services (including, inter alia, odd lot buy backs, exchanges, mergers, redemptions, subscriptions, capital reorganizations, coordination of post-merger services and special meetings).
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6.2 In the event that the Company Vendor provides the services set forth in Section 6.1, the Company shall pay the Transfer Agent its standard fees and expenses charged by the Transfer Agent for Services rendered to support the above Services rendered by the Company Vendor for the benefit of the Company.
7
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(a)
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If any undisputed amount in an invoice of the Transfer Agent (for fees or reimbursable expenses) is not paid within 30 days after receipt of such invoice, the Company shall pay the Transfer Agent interest thereon (from the due date to the date of payment) at a per annum rate equal to eighteen percent (18%). Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, such interest rate shall be no greater than permitted under applicable provisions of Massachusetts law.
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(b)
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The failure by Company to pay an invoice within 90 days after receipt of such invoice or the failure by the Company to timely pay two consecutive invoices shall constitute a material breach pursuant to Section 13.4(a) below. The Transfer Agent may terminate this Agreement for such material breach immediately and shall not be obligated to provide the Company with 30 days to cure such breach.
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(a)
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Governance. The Trust Company is a federally chartered limited purpose national bank duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Transfer Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary action and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Transfer Agent enforceable against Transfer Agent in accordance with its terms;
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(b)
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Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Transfer Agent will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of, or require the consent of any other party to, (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Transfer Agent is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority which is applicable to Transfer Agent, (iii) the incorporation documents or by-laws of the Transfer Agent, or (iv) any material agreement to which Transfer Agent is a party;
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8
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(c)
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Company's Agent. Transfer Agent is engaged in an independent business and will perform its obligations under this Agreement as an agent of Company.
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(a)
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Governance. It is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and it has full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Company has been duly authorized by all necessary action and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Company enforceable against Company in accordance with its terms;
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(b)
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Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Company will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of, or require the consent of any other party to, (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Company is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority which is applicable to Company, (iii) the incorporation documents or by-laws of the Company, (iv) any material agreement to which Transfer Agent is a party, or (v) exchange rules; and
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(c)
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Securities Act of 1933. A registration statement under the 1933 Act has been filed and is currently effective, or will be effective prior to the sale of any Shares, and will remain so effective, and all appropriate state securities law filings have been made with respect to all the Shares of the Company being offered for sale except for any Shares which are offered in a transaction or series of transactions which are exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act and state securities laws; information to the contrary will result in immediate notification to the Transfer Agent by Company.
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(a)
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all actions of the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors required to be taken pursuant to this Agreement provided such actions are taken in good faith and without gross negligence or willful misconduct;
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(b)
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The Company's lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct or the breach of any representation or warranty of the Company hereunder;
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(c)
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The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of any information, records, data, and documents which have been prepared and/or maintained by the Company or any other person or firm on behalf of the Company and provided to the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors. Such other person or firm shall include any former transfer agent or former registrar, or co-transfer agent or co-registrar or any current registrar where the Transfer Agent is not the current registrar;
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9
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(d)
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The reliance or use by the Transfer Agent or its agents or subcontractors of (i) any paper or document reasonably believed to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons, including Shareholders, and (ii) electronic instructions from Shareholders submitted through the Shareholder Internet Services, from Company through Issuer Online, or through any other electronic means pursuant to security procedures established by the Transfer Agent;
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(e)
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The negotiation and processing of all checks, including checks made payable to Shareholders or prospective shareholders that are tendered to the Transfer Agent for the purchase of Shares (commonly known as "third party checks"); and
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(f)
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The recognition, acceptance, or processing by the Transfer Agent of stock certificates which are reasonably believed to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of officers of the Company, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or former registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.
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10
No party shall be liable for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by a breach of any provision of this Agreement even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.
11.1 The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Transfer Agent for the carrying out, or performing by the Transfer Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
11
of the Confidential Information; (b) protect against any threats or hazards to the security and integrity of the Confidential Information; and (c) protect against any unauthorized access to or use of the Confidential Information. To the extent that any duties and responsibilities under this Agreement are delegated to an agent or other subcontractor, the party ensures that such agent and subcontractor are contractually bound to confidentiality terms consistent with the terms of this Section 12.
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(a)
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promptly notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party's Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;
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(b)
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promptly furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and
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(c)
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promptly use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.
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12.5 Costs. Each party will bear the costs it incurs as a result of compliance with this Section 12.
12
13.4 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the following:
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(a)
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at any time by any party upon a material breach of a representation, covenant or term of this Agreement by any other unaffiliated party which is not cured within a period not to exceed thirty (30) days after the date of written notice thereof by one of the other parties; and
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(b)
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by Transfer Agent, at any time, in the event that during the term of this Agreement, a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is filed by or against Company or a trustee or receiver is appointed for any substantial part of Company's property (and in a case of involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceeding, there is entered an order for relief, or order appointing a receiver or some similar order or decree and Company does not succeed in having such order lifted or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of its entry), or Company makes an assignment of all or substantially all of its property for the benefit of creditors or ceases to conduct its operations in the normal course or business.
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13
Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon the Transfer Agent in connection with or make the Transfer Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties such as, by way of example and not limitation, airborne services, the U.S. mails and telecommunication companies, provided, if the Transfer Agent selected such company, the Transfer Agent shall have exercised due care in selecting the same.
If to the Company:
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Gabelli Closed-End Funds
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx, XX 00000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
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If to the Transfer Agent:
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Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Computershare Shareholder Services, Inc.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Telecopy No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: General Counsel
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16.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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15
The Gabelli Closed-End Funds
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On Behalf of Both Entities:
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By:
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By:
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Name:
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Name:
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Title:
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Title:
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16
EXHIBIT A
Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust
Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund Inc.
Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust
Gabelli Utility Trust
Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities 6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust 5.875% Series A Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Dividend and Income Trust 6.00% Series D Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Equity Trust 5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Equity Trust 6.20% Series F Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc. 6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Utility Trust 5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred
Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness Rx Trust
Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness Rx Trust 5.76% Series A Preferred
17
Sixth Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
This Sixth Amendment ("Amendment"), effective as of __ TBD ("Effective Date"), is to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, as amended (the "Agreement") dated January 1, 2011, by and among Computershare Inc., and its fully owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (collectively, "Transfer Agent") and each of the Gabelli Closed-End Investment Companies listed on Exhibit A attached to the Agreement (each, a "Company" and collectively the "Company").
1. Designation of a New Company. The Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust ("Fund") is hereby designated by the Company as a new Company covered under the Agreement, and the Fund's common class of Shares ("Common Shares") and Series A Preferred is hereby designated by the Fund as its classes of Shares covered under the Agreement.
2. Amendment of the Agreement. In order that Fund may be designated as a new Company and the Common may be designated as a new class of Shares under the Agreement, including, without limitation, any and all schedules and exhibits thereto, the Fund agrees and binds itself to the terms and conditions thereof and acknowledges that by its execution and delivery of this Amendment it shall assume all of the obligations and shall be entitled to all of the rights, duties and obligations of a Company, as if the Fund were an original designated Company under the Agreement.
3. Amendment of the Fee and Service Schedule for Stock Transfer Services ("Schedule"). The Schedule is hereby amended as follows:
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(a)
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Add "The Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust (Common Shares), up to 5,000 Accounts, additional Accounts to be billed at $5.00 each, per year " to the following subsection in the "FEES" section:
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"$3000.00 Per Month for the following Funds:
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(b)
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Add "The Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust Series A Preferred up to 5,000 Accounts, additional Accounts to be billed at $3.00 each, per year " to the following subsection in the "FEES" section:
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"$2500.00 Per Month for the following Funds:"
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4. Exhibit. Exhibit A is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the new Exhibit A attached hereto, which reflects the addition of the Fund and its Common Shares and Preferred Shares to the Agreement.
5. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as set forth in the Agreement.
6. Limited Effect. Except as expressly modified herein, the Agreement shall continue to be and shall remain, in full force and effect and the valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto in accordance with its terms.
7. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Amendment executed and/or transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.
8. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective officers, hereunto duly agreed and authorized, as of the Effective Date.
THE GABELLI CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANIES
LISTED ON EXHIBIT A ATTACHED TO THE AGREEMENT
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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COMPUTERSHARE INC. and
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
On behalf of both entities
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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EXHIBIT A
Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund Inc.
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·
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Common
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·
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6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred
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Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust
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·
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Common
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·
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5.875% Series A Cumulative Preferred
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·
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6.00% Series D Cumulative Preferred
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Gabelli Equity Trust Inc.
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·
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Common
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·
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5.875% Series D Cumulative Preferred
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·
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Series G Cumulative Preferred
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·
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Series H Cumulative Preferred
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Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust Inc.
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·
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Common
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·
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6.00% Series B Cumulative Preferred
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Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust
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·
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Common
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Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
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·
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Common
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·
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Series A Cumulative Puttable and Callable Preferred
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Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust
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·
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Common
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·
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5.76% Series A Cumulative Preferred
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Gabelli Utility Trust
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·
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Common
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·
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5.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred
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·
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Common
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·
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Series A Preferred
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A-1