Exhibit 4.2
The Gap, Inc.
$200,000,000
8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005
$500,000,000
8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008
_________
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
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November 21, 2001
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.,
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc.
ABN AMRO Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
Fleet Securities, Inc.
Mizuho International plc
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
US Bancorp Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Inc.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The Gap, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue
and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein) upon the terms set forth in the
Purchase Agreement (as defined herein) its 8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005
(the "2005 Notes") and its 8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008 (the "2008 Notes").
As an inducement to the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and in
satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers thereunder, the
Company agrees with the Purchasers for the benefit of holders (as defined
herein) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as
follows:
1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(c).
"Base Interest" with respect to the Securities shall mean the interest
(as such interest may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the indenture
from time to time as a result of a downgrade of the credit ratings ascribed
to the Securities) that would otherwise accrue on the 2005 Notes and the
2008 Notes in each case under the terms of such series of Securities and the
Indenture, without giving effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
The term "broker-dealer" shall mean any broker or dealer registered with
the Commission under the Exchange Act.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date on which the Securities are initially
issued.
"Commission" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for
the particular purpose.
"Effective Time," in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration, shall mean
the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange
Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Registration
Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall
mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Shelf
Registration Statement effective or as of which the Shelf Registration
Statement otherwise becomes effective.
"Electing Holder" shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities that
has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company
in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any
successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Exchange Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 3(c) hereof.
"Exchange Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Securities" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(a) hereof.
The term "holder" shall mean each of the Purchasers and other persons who
acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including any successors
or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns any Registrable
Securities, and such term shall include any person that has a beneficial
interest in any Registrable Securities in book-entry form.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of November , 2001 between
the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, as the same shall be
amended from time to time.
"Notice and Questionnaire" means a Notice of Registration Statement and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit A
hereto.
The term "person" shall mean a corporation, association, partnership,
organization, business, individual, government or political subdivision
thereof or governmental agency.
"Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of
November 16, 2001 between the Purchasers and the Company relating to the
Securities.
"Purchasers" shall mean the Purchasers named in Schedule I to the
Purchase Agreement.
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"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided, however,
that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) in the
circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the Security has been
exchanged for an Exchange Security in an Exchange Offer as contemplated in
Section 2(a) hereof (provided that any Exchange Security that, pursuant to
the last two sentences of Section 2(a), is included in a prospectus for use
in connection with resales by broker-dealers shall be deemed to be a
Registrable Security with respect to Sections 5, 6 and 9 until resale of
such Registrable Security has been effected within the 180-day period
referred to in Section 2(a)); (ii) in the circumstances contemplated by
Section 2(b) hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement registering such
Security under the Securities Act has been declared or becomes effective and
such Security has been sold or otherwise transferred by the holder thereof
pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective Shelf
Registration Statement; (iii) such Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144
under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Security relating to
restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, is removed by the Company or pursuant to the Indenture; (iv) such
Security is eligible to be sold pursuant to paragraph (k) of Rule 144; or
(v) such Security shall cease to be outstanding.
"Registration Default" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(c) hereof.
"Registration Expenses" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 4 hereof.
"Resale Period" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Restricted Holder" shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires Exchange
Securities outside the ordinary course of such holder's business, (iii) a
holder who has arrangements or understandings with any person to participate
in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Securities
and (iv) a holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with respect to Exchange
Securities received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in
exchange for Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly
from the Company.
"Rule 144," "Rule 405" and "Rule 415" shall mean, in each case, such rule
promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the
same shall be amended from time to time.
"Securities" shall mean, collectively, the 2005 Notes and the 2008 Notes
of the Company to be issued and sold to the Purchasers, and securities
issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the Indenture.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor
thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
"Shelf Registration" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section
2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in
Section 2(b) hereof.
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"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or any
successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated
thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a
"Section" or "clause" refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words "herein," "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or
other subdivision.
2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company agrees to file
under the Securities Act, as soon as practicable, but no later than 90 days
after the Closing Date, a registration statement relating to an offer to
exchange (such registration statement, the "Exchange Registration
Statement", and such offer, the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the 2005
Notes and the 2008 Notes, in each case for a like aggregate principal amount
of debt securities issued by the Company, which debt securities are
substantially identical to the 2005 Notes and the 2008 Notes, respectively
(and are entitled to the benefits of a trust indenture which is
substantially identical to the Indenture or is the Indenture and which has
been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they have been
registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act and do not contain provisions for the Additional Interest
contemplated in Section 2(c) below (such new debt securities hereinafter
called "Exchange Securities"). The Company agrees to use its best efforts to
cause the Exchange Registration Statement to become effective under the
Securities Act as soon as practicable, but no later than 180 days after the
Closing Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered under the Securities Act
on the appropriate form and will comply with all applicable tender offer
rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. The Company further agrees to
use its reasonable best efforts to commence and complete the Exchange Offer
promptly, but no later than 45 days after such registration statement has
become effective, hold the Exchange Offer open for at least 30 days and
exchange the applicable Exchange Securities for all Registrable Securities
that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have
been "completed" with respect to a series of Securities only if the debt
securities received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange
Offer for Registrable Securities of such series are, upon receipt,
transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act and without material restrictions under the blue
sky or securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United
States of America. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed
with respect to a series of Securities upon the earlier to occur of (i) the
Company having exchanged the Exchange Securities for all outstanding
Registrable Securities of such series pursuant to the Exchange Offer and
(ii) the Company having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange
Securities of the appropriate series for all Registrable Securities of such
series that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn before the
expiration of the Exchange Offer, which shall be on a date that is at least
30 days following the commencement of the Exchange Offer. The Company shall
(x) include in the Exchange Registration Statement a prospectus for use in
any resales by any holder of Exchange Securities that is a broker-dealer and
(y) keep such Exchange Registration Statement effective for a period (the
"Resale Period") beginning when Exchange Securities are first issued in the
Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of
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the expiration of the 180th day after the Exchange Offer has been
completed or such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Registrable
Securities. With respect to such Exchange Registration Statement, such
holders shall have the benefit of the rights of indemnification and
contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e) hereof.
(b) If (i) on or prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed,
existing Commission interpretations are changed such that the debt
securities received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange
Offer for Registrable Securities of a series are not or would not be, upon
receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the
Securities Act, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 225
days following the Closing Date or (iii) the Exchange Offer is not available
to any holder of the Securities of a series, the Company shall, in lieu of
(or, in the case of clause (iii), in addition to) conducting the Exchange
Offer contemplated by Section 2(a), file under the Securities Act as soon as
practicable, but no later than the later of 30 days after the time such
obligation to file arises, a "shelf" registration statement providing for
the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the
holders of, all of the Registrable Securities of such series, pursuant to
Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission (such
filing, the "Shelf Registration" and such registration statement, the "Shelf
Registration Statement"). The Company agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts (x) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be
declared effective no later than 120 days after such Shelf Registration
Statement is filed and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement
continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier of the second
anniversary of the date the Securities are issued or such time as there are
no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, however, that no
holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the
Shelf Registration Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof
for resales of Registrable Securities unless such holder is an Electing
Holder, and (y) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration
Statement, promptly upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities
that is not then an Electing Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary
to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for
resales of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, any action
necessary to identify such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf
Registration Statement; provided, however, that nothing in this Clause (y)
shall relieve any such holder of the obligation to return a completed and
signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section
3(d)(iii) hereof. The Company further agrees to supplement or make
amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, as and when required by the
rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used
by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities
Act or rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration, and the
Company agrees to furnish to each Electing Holder copies of any such
supplement or amendment prior to its being used or promptly following its
filing with the Commission.
(c) In the event that (i) the Company has not filed the Exchange
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement with respect to a
series of Securities on or before the date on which such registration
statement is required to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b),
respectively, or (ii) such Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement with respect to a series of Securities has not become
effective or been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date
on which such registration statement is required to become or be declared
effective pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b), respectively, (iii) the Exchange
Offer has not been completed with respect to a series of Securities within
45 days after the initial effective date of the Exchange Registration
Statement relating to the
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Exchange Offer (if the Exchange Offer is then required to be made), (iv)
any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement with
respect to a series of Securities required by Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof is
filed and declared effective but shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the
Company or shall become subject to an effective stop order issued pursuant
to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act suspending the effectiveness of such
registration statement (except as specifically permitted herein) without
being succeeded immediately by an additional registration statement filed
and declared effective or (v) the holders of Registrable Securities of a
series are prevented or restricted by the Company from effecting sales
pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement except as expressly permitted
by Section 2(f) (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (v), a
"Registration Default" and each period during which a Registration Default
has occurred and is continuing, a "Registration Default Period"), then, as
liquidated damages for such Registration Default, subject to the provisions
of Section 9(b), additional interest ("Additional Interest"), in addition to
the Base Interest, shall accrue with respect to such affected series of
Securities at a per annum rate of 0.25% for the first 90 days of the
Registration Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.50% for the second 90
days of the Registration Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.75% for
the third 90 days of the Registration Default Period and at a per annum rate
of 1.0% thereafter for the remaining portion of the Registration Default
Period; provided, however, that Additional Interest shall not accrue at a
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per annum rate in excess of 1% in respect of all Registration Defaults.
Additional Interest on such Securities shall cease to accrue (A) in the case
of clause (i) above, upon the filing of the Exchange Registration Statement
or Shelf Registration Statement, (B) in the case of clause (ii) above, upon
the effectiveness of the Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement, (C) in the case of clause (iii) above, upon the
completion of the Exchange Offer, (D) in the case of clause (iv) above, upon
the effectiveness of a new Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement succeeding a withdrawn Exchange Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement or upon the cessation of the stop
order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement
or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, (E) in the case of clause
(v) above, when the holders of Registrable Securities are no longer
prevented or restricted by the Company from effecting sales pursuant to any
Shelf Registration Statement and (F) other than with respect to a holder
that is an affiliate of the Company or a holder that is not otherwise
eligible to utilize the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act,
upon the expiration of two years (or such shorter period as may be
prescribed by paragraph (k) of Rule 144) commencing on the Closing Date, in
each case (A)-(E), subject to the new accrual of Additional Interest upon
the occurrence of a new Registration Default.
(d) The Company shall take all actions necessary or advisable to be taken
by it to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are effected as so
contemplated.
(e) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time shall
be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein
to any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time
shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be
incorporated, therein by reference as of such time.
(f) The Company may suspend the use of the Shelf Registration Statement
for a period not to exceed 30 days in any 90-day period or an aggregate of
90 days in any 12-month period if the Board of Directors of the Company
shall have determined in good faith that because of valid business reasons
(not including avoidance of the Company's obligations
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hereunder), including the acquisition or divestiture of assets, pending
corporate developments and similar events, it is in the best interests of
the Company to suspend such use, and prior to suspending such use the
Company provides the holders with written notice of such suspension, which
notice need not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such
suspension. Each suspension period, with respect to each holder, shall begin
on the date following the date written notice of such suspension is received
by such holder (or such later date as shall be marked in the notice) and
shall end on the earlier of (i) the date such holder receives from the
Company a written notice that such suspension has been terminated and (ii)
the 31st calendar day from the date on which the written notice of
suspension is received by such holder (or such later date as shall be marked
in the notice).
3. Registration Procedures.
If the Company files a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf
Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture
under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
(b) In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of
a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee
thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
(c) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
registration of Exchange Securities as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the
"Exchange Registration"), if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as
practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as practicable
but no later than 90 days after the Closing Date, an Exchange
Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the
Company and which shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of
Exchange Securities by broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be
effected as contemplated by Section 2(a), and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Exchange Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable thereafter, but no later than 180
days after the Closing Date;
(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission
such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Registration
Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to
effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration
Statement for the periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a)
hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations
of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such
Exchange Registration Statement, and promptly provide each
broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities with such number of copies
of the prospectus included therein (as then amended or supplemented),
in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder, as such broker-dealer
reasonably may request prior to the expiration of the Resale Period,
for use in connection with resales of Exchange Securities;
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(iii) promptly notify each broker-dealer that has requested or
received copies of the prospectus included in such registration
statement, and confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such
Exchange Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein
or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Exchange
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective, (B) of any comments by the Commission
and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any
state with respect thereto or any request by the Commission for
amendments or supplements to such Exchange Registration Statement
or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance
by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of such Exchange Registration Statement or the initiation or
threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any
time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated by Section 5 cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (E) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
of the Exchange Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or
(F) at any time during the Resale Period when a prospectus is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such
Exchange Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment
or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all
material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities
Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(iv) in the event that the Company would be required, pursuant
to Section 3(c)(iii)(F) above, to notify any broker-dealers
holding Exchange Securities, without delay prepare and furnish to
each such holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus
supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to
purchasers of such Exchange Securities during the Resale Period,
such prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder and shall 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 not misleading
in light of the circumstances then existing;
(v) use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest
practicable date;
(vi) use its best efforts to (A) register or qualify the
Exchange Securities under the securities laws or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no later
than the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such
registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such
laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings
therein in such jurisdictions until the expiration of the Resale
Period and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable each broker-dealer holding
Exchange Securities to consummate the disposition thereof in such
jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
required for any such purpose to (1) qualify
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as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this
Section 3(c)(vi), (2) consent to general service of process in any
such jurisdiction, (3) make any changes to its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and its
stockholders, or (4) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;
(vii) use its best efforts to obtain the consent or approval of
each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state or
local, which may be required to effect the Exchange Registration,
the Exchange Offer and the offering and sale of Exchange Securities
by broker-dealers during the Resale Period;
(viii) provide a CUSIP number for each series of Exchange
Securities, not later than the applicable Effective Time;
(ix) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as practicable but no later than eighteen months after the
effective date of such Exchange Registration Statement, an earning
statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of
the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
(d) In connection with the Company's obligations with respect to the
Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Company shall, as soon as
practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as
practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in
Section 2(b), a Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may
be utilized by the Company and which shall register all of the
Registrable Securities of the relevant series for resale by the
holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods of
disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from
time to time, may be Electing Holders and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable but in any case within the time
periods specified in Section 2(b);
(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective
Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and
Questionnaire to the registered holders of Registrable Securities
of the relevant series (and, so long as Cede & Co., as nominee of
The Depositary Trust Company ("DTC"), is the registered holder of a
reasonable number of copies thereof, to the direct participants of
DTC for delivery to the beneficial owners of such Registrable
Securities); no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling
securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement as of the
Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the
prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of such Registrable
Securities at any time, unless such holder has returned a completed
and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline
for response set forth therein; provided, however, holders of
Registrable Securities shall have at least 28 calendar days from
the date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to
such holders to return a completed and signed Notice and
Questionnaire to the Company;
(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration
Statement, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities
of the relevant series that is not then
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an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire to
such holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to
take any action to name such holder as a selling securityholder in
the Shelf Registration Statement or to enable such holder to use
the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable
Securities until such holder has returned a completed and signed
Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;
(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the
Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may
be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf
Registration Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b)
hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to
the form of such Shelf Registration Statement, and furnish to the
Electing Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment
simultaneously with or prior to its being used or filed with the
Commission;
(v) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all of the Registrable Securities
covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the
intended methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided
for in such Shelf Registration Statement;
(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters
(which term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act), if
any, thereof, (C) any sales or placement agent therefor, (D)
counsel for any such underwriter or agent and (E) not more than one
counsel for all the Electing Holders the opportunity to participate
in the preparation of such Shelf Registration Statement, each
prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission and each
amendment or supplement thereto;
(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf
Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in
Section 2(b), make available at reasonable times at the Company's
principal place of business or such other reasonable place for
inspection by the persons referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) who shall
certify to the Company that they have a current intention to sell
the Registrable Securities to be covered by the Shelf Registration
pursuant to the Shelf Registration such financial and other
information and books and records of the Company, and cause the
officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public
accountants of the Company to respond to such inquiries, as shall
be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the respective counsel
referred to in such Section, to conduct a reasonable investigation
within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided,
however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in
confidence and not to disclose to any other person any information
or records reasonably designated by the Company as being
confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a
matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such
registration statement or otherwise except by reason of a breach by
such party of its obligation to keep such information in
confidence), or (B) such person shall be required so to disclose
such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or
other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
matter
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(subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such
person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of
such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set
forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus
included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration
Statement or an amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order
that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or
supplement, as the case may be, complies with applicable
requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and
regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances
then existing;
(viii) promptly notify each of the Electing Holders, any sales
or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which
notification may be made through any managing underwriter that is a
representative of such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm
such advice in writing, (A) when such Shelf Registration Statement
or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any comments
by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or
regulator of any state with respect thereto or any request by the
Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration
Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the
initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D)
if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated by Section 3(d)(xvii) or Section 5 cease to be true
and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such purpose, or (F) if at any time when a prospectus is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Shelf
Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or
supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all
material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities
Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a
material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(ix) use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable
date;
(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters,
any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly
incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as is required by the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and as such managing underwriter or
underwriters, such agent or such Electing Holder specifies should
be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of such
Registrable Securities, including information with respect to the
principal amount of Registrable Securities being sold
11
by such Electing Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name
and description of such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, the
offering price of such Registrable Securities and any discount,
commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof, the
purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with
respect to any other terms of the offering of the Registrable
Securities to be sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to such
underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after notification
of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;
(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the
respective counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) an executed copy
(or, in the case of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such
Shelf Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto (in the case
of an Electing Holder of Registrable Securities, upon request) and
documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of
copies of such Shelf Registration Statement (excluding exhibits
thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein unless
specifically so requested by such Electing Holder, agent or
underwriter, as the case may be) and of the prospectus included in
such Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary
prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder, and such other documents,
as such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any,
may reasonably request in order to facilitate the offering and
disposition of the Registrable Securities included or to be
included in such Shelf Registration Statement owned by such
Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or underwritten by
such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent and
underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act; and the Company hereby consents to the use of such
prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus) and
any amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder
and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form
most recently provided to such person by the Company, in connection
with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by
the prospectus (including such preliminary and summary prospectus)
or any supplement or amendment thereto after the Company has
provided notice pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) and for so long
as such notice is in effect;
(xii) use its best efforts to (A) register or qualify the
Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration
Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall
reasonably request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications
in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance
of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during
the period the Shelf Registration is required to remain effective
under Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be necessary to
enable any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to complete
its distribution of Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement and (C) take any and all other actions as may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing
Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdictions of such
12
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section
3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction, (3) make any changes to its certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or any agreement between it and its
stockholders, or (4) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;
(xiii) use its best efforts to obtain the consent or approval of
each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state or
local, which may be required to effect the Shelf Registration or
the offering or sale in connection therewith or to enable the
selling holder or holders to offer, or to consummate the
disposition of, their Registrable Securities included or to be
included in such Shelf Registration Statement;
(xiv) unless any Registrable Securities of the relevant series
shall be in book-entry only form, cooperate with the Electing
Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the
timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates, if so
required by any securities exchange upon which any Registrable
Securities are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved,
or produced by any combination of such methods, on steel engraved
borders, and which certificates shall not bear any restrictive
legends; and, in the case of an underwritten offering, enable such
Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered
in such names as the managing underwriters may request at least two
business days prior to any sale of the Registrable Securities;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for each series of Registrable
Securities included in such Shelf Registration Statement, not later
than the applicable Effective Time;
(xvi) enter into one or more underwriting agreements,
engagement letters, agency agreements, "best efforts" underwriting
agreements or similar agreements, as appropriate, including
customary provisions relating to indemnification and contribution,
and take such other actions in connection therewith as any Electing
Holders aggregating at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Securities of the relevant series at the time
outstanding shall request in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(xvii) if requested by the managing underwriters, placement or
sales agent, if any, or any Electing Holders of at least 20% in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities of the
relevant series at the time outstanding, whether or not an
agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof is
entered into and whether or not any portion of the offering
contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten offering
or is made through a placement or sales agent or any other entity,
(A) make such representations and warranties to the Electing
Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the
underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are
customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities
pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration
statement filed on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration;
(B) obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company in customary form
and covering such matters, of the type
13
customarily covered by such an opinion, as the managing
underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least 20% in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities of the
relevant series at the time outstanding may reasonably request,
addressed to such Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the
placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if
any, thereof and dated the effective date of such Shelf
Registration Statement (and if such Shelf Registration Statement
contemplates an underwritten offering of a part or all of the
Registrable Securities of such series, dated the date of the
closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it
being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall
include the due incorporation and good standing of the Company and
its subsidiaries; the qualification of the Company and its
subsidiaries to transact business as foreign corporations; the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the relevant agreement of
the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xvi) hereof; the due
authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the
validity and enforceability, of the Securities of such series; the
absence of material legal or governmental proceedings involving the
Company; the absence of a breach by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of, or a default under, material agreements binding
upon the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; the absence of
governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with
the Shelf Registration, the offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities of such series, this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement or any agreement of the type referred to in Section
3(d)(xvi) hereof, except such approvals as may be required under
state securities or blue sky laws; the material compliance as to
form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents
incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture with the
requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder,
respectively; and, as of the date of the opinion and of the Shelf
Registration Statement or most recent post-effective amendment
thereto, as the case may be, the absence from such Shelf
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then
amended or supplemented, and from the documents incorporated by
reference therein (in each case other than the financial statements
and other financial information contained therein) of an untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission to state therein a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading (in the case of such documents, in the light of the
circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed
with the Commission under the Exchange Act)); (C) obtain a "cold
comfort" letter or letters from the independent certified public
accountants of the Company addressed to the selling Electing
Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor or the
underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of such
Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any
prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf
Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf
Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited
financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to
that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus
(and, if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an
underwritten offering pursuant to any prospectus supplement to the
prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or
post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which
includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or
for a period subsequent to that of the latest such state ments
included in such prospectus, dated the date of the closing under
the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such letter or
letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of the
type
14
customarily covered by letters of such type; (D) deliver such
documents and certificates, including officers' certificates, as
may be reasonably requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20%
in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities of the
relevant series at the time outstanding or the placement or sales
agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any,
thereof to evidence the accuracy of the representations and
warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or those contained in
Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or satisfaction of any
agreements or conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or
other agreement entered into by the Company; and (E) undertake such
obligations relating to expense reimbursement, indemnification and
contribution as are provided in Section 6 hereof;
(xviii) notify in writing each registered holder of Registrable
Securities (and, so long as Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, is the
registered holder, provide a reasonable number of such notices to
the direct participants and DTC for delivery to the beneficial
owners of Registrable Securities) of any proposal by the Company to
amend or waive any provision of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h) hereof and of any
amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of which
notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver proposed
or effected, as the case may be;
(xix) in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the
Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or
participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling
group or "assist in the distribution" (within the meaning of the
Conduct Rules (the "Conduct Rules) of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or any successor thereto, as
amended from time to time) thereof, whether as a holder of such
Registrable Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales
agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise,
assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of
such Conduct Rules, including by (A) if such Conduct Rules shall so
require, engaging a "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined
in such Conduct Rules) to participate in the preparation of the
Shelf Registration Statement relating to such Registrable
Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect
thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such
Shelf Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made
through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such
Registrable Securities, (B) indemnifying any such qualified
independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of
underwriters provided in Section 6 hereof (or to such other
customary extent as may be requested by such underwriter), and (C)
providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required
in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of
the Conduct Rules; and
(xx) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months
after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an
earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying
with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option
of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
15
(e) In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to
Section 3(d)(viii)(F) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement
or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any,
thereof, the Company shall without delay prepare and furnish to each of the
Electing Holders, to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each
such underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus
supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of
Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall conform in all material
respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
and shall 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 not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from
the Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) hereof, such Electing Holder
shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such Registrable
Securities until such Electing Holder shall have received copies of such
amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the Company, such
Electing Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all
copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Electing Xxxxxx's
possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the
time of receipt of such notice.
(f) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the
information required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice
Questionnaire, the Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to
the Company such additional information regarding such Electing Holder and
such Electing Holder's intended method of distribution of Registrable
Securities as may be required in order to comply with the Securities Act.
Each such Electing Holder agrees to notify the Company as promptly as
practicable of any inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished
by such Electing Holder to the Company or of the occurrence of any event in
either case as a result of which any prospectus relating to such Shelf
Registration contains or would contain an untrue statement of a material
fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder's intended
method of disposition of such Registrable Securities or omits to state any
material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder's
intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to
furnish to the Company any additional information required to correct and
update any previously furnished information or required so that such
prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such Electing Holder or the
disposition of such Registrable Securities, 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 not misleading in light
of the circumstances then existing.
(g) Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its "affiliates" (as defined
in Rule 144) to, resell any of the Securities that have been reacquired by
any of them except pursuant to an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act.
4. Registration Expenses.
The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all
expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance with this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any
NASD registration, filing and review
16
fees and expenses including fees and disbursements of one counsel for all the
placement or sales agents or underwriters in connection with such registration,
filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under the State securities
and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii) hereof and determination of
their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as any
managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may designate, including
reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for all the Electing Holders or
underwriters in connection with such qualification and determination, (c) all
expenses relating to the preparation, printing, production, distribution and
reproduction of each registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each
prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each
amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing the
Securities for delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any
underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and
blue sky or legal investment memoranda and all other documents in connection
with the offering, sale or delivery of Securities to be disposed of (including
certificates representing the Securities), (d) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses relating to the offering, sale or delivery of Securities and the
preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of
the Trustee under the Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any counsel for
the Trustee and of any collateral agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses
(including all salaries and expenses of the Company's officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of
counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company (including
the expenses of any opinions or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance and compliance), (h) reasonable fees, disbursements and
expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" engaged pursuant to Section
3(d)(xix) hereof, (i) reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel
for the Electing Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as
selected by the Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (j) any fees charged by
securities rating services for rating the Securities, and (k) fees, expenses and
disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the
Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the "Registration
Expenses"). To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed
or paid by any holder of Registrable Securities or any placement or sales agent
therefor or underwriter thereof, the Company shall reimburse such person for the
full amount of the Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly
after receipt of a request therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders
of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and
commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale
of such Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or
other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other
than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.
5. Representations and Warranties.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each
Purchaser and each of the holders from time to time of Registrable Securities
that:
(a) Each registration statement covering Registrable Securities and
each prospectus (including any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained
therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof and
any further amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or
prospectus, when it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as
the case may be, and, in the case of an underwritten offering of
Registrable
17
Securities, at the time of the closing under the underwriting agreement
relating thereto, will conform in all material respects to the requirements
of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and 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 not
misleading; and at all times subsequent to the Effective Time when a
prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities Act,
other than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(F) or Section
3(c)(iii)(F) hereof until (ii) such time as the Company furnishes an
amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section
3(c)(iv) hereof, each such registration statement, and each prospectus
(including any summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant
to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof, as then amended or supplemented,
will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities
Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and 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 not misleading in the
light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Company by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for
use therein.
(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus
referred to in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or
are or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of such documents will
contain or contained an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Company by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for
use therein.
(c) The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a
breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement
or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a
party or by which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is bound or
to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of
the Company is subject which conflict breach or violation would have a
material adverse effect on the current or future consolidated financial
position, stockholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or impair the validity of this Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement or the rights of the Purchasers or
holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, nor will such action result in
any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, as
amended, or the by-laws of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of their
properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is
required for the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated by this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, except the
registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, qualification of
the Indenture under
18
the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
registrations or qualifications as may be required under State securities
or blue sky laws in connection with the offering and distribution of the
Securities.
(d) This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company will indemnify and
hold harmless each of the holders of Registrable Securities included in an
Exchange Registration Statement, each of the Electing Holders of
Registrable Securities included in a Shelf Registration Statement and each
person who participates as a placement or sales agent or as an underwriter
in any offering or sale of such Registrable Securities against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder,
agent or underwriter may become subject under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the
case may be, under which such Registrable Securities were registered under
the Securities Act, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus
contained therein or furnished by the Company to any such holder, Electing
Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such holder, such
Electing Holder, such agent and such underwriter for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable to any such person in any
such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability
arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration
statement, or preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or amendment or
supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such person expressly for use
therein; provided, further, that the Company shall not be liable to any
holder, Electing Holder, agent or underwriter under the indemnity agreement
in this subsection (a) with respect to any preliminary prospectus to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter results from the fact such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter sold Registrable Securities to a
person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written
confirmation of such sale, a copy of the final prospectus (excluding
documents incorporated by reference) in any case where such delivery is
required by the Securities Act if the Company has previously furnished
copies thereof to such holder, Electing Holder, agent or underwriter on a
timely basis, and the loss, claim, damage or liability of such holder,
Electing Holder, agent or underwriter results from an untrue statement or
omission of a material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus which
was corrected in the final prospectus.
(b) Indemnification by the Holders and any Agents and Underwriters.
The Company may require, as a condition to including any Registrable
Securities in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b)
hereof and to entering into any underwriting agreement with respect
thereto, that the Company shall have received an undertaking
19
reasonably satisfactory to it from the Electing Holder of such Registrable
Securities and from each underwriter named in any such underwriting
agreement, severally and not jointly, to (i) indemnify and hold harmless
the Company, and all other holders of Registrable Securities, against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company or such other
holders of Registrable Securities may become subject, under the Securities
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such
registration statement, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus
contained therein or furnished by the Company to any such Electing Holder,
agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by such Electing Holder
or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the Company
for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder
shall be required to undertake liability to any person under this Section
6(b) for any amounts in excess of the dollar amount of the proceeds to be
received by such Electing Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration.
(c) Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified
party under subsection (a) or (b) above of written notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the
indemnification provisions of or contemplated by this Section 6, notify
such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such action; but
the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from
any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than
under the indemnification provisions of or contemplated by Section 6(a) or
6(b) hereof. In case any such action shall be brought against any
indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall
not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified
party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of
any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in
respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
(whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to
such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i)
includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act
by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
20
(d) Contribution. If for any reason the indemnification provisions
contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) are unavailable to or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying party and
indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or 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 by such indemnified
party, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of
them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to in this Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be
deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred
by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any
such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d),
no holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder
from the sale of any Registrable Securities (after deducting any fees,
discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the amount of any
damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission,
and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of
the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages which such underwriter 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 holders' and any underwriters'
obligations in this Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in
proportion to the principal amount of Registrable Securities registered or
underwritten, as the case may be, by them and not joint.
(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 6 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and
partner of each holder, agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who
controls any holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act; and the obligations of the holders and any agents or
underwriters contemplated by this Section 6 shall be in addition to any
liability which the respective holder, agent or underwriter may otherwise
have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer
and director of the Company (including any person who, with his consent, is
named in any registration statement as about to become a director of the
Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
21
7. Underwritten Offerings.
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Registrable Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an
underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof
shall be designated by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities to be included in
such offering, provided that such designated managing underwriter or
underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable to the Company.
(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Registrable Securities
hereby agrees with each other holder that no holder may participate in any
underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such
holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such
arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents
reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
8. Rule 144.
The Company covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to
the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company
shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act
or the Securities Act (including the reports under Section 13 and 15(d) of the
Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the
Commission under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by
the Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from
time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption
provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from
time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities in
connection with that holder's sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall
deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with
such requirements.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company represents, warrants,
covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant,
registration rights with respect to Registrable Securities or any other
securities which would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
(b) Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that there
would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of
its obligations hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time
to time of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such
failure, and accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in
addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in
equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of the obligations
of the Company under this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement, in any court of the United States or any State thereof
having jurisdiction.
22
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by
courier, or three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: If
to the Company, to it at Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000 and if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in the
security register or other records of the Company, or to such other address
as the Company or any such holder may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address
shall be effective only upon receipt.
(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall
inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and
the holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities and the
respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and such holders.
In the event that any transferee of any holder of Registrable Securities
shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by gift,
bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such transferee shall,
without any further writing or action of any kind, be deemed a beneficiary
hereof for all purposes and such Registrable Securities shall be held
subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such
transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the applicable
terms and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement. If
the Company shall so request, any such successor, assign or transferee
shall agree in writing to acquire and hold the Registrable Securities
subject to all of the applicable terms hereof.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements,
representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation (or
statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any holder of
Registrable Securities, any director, officer or partner of such holder,
any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or partner thereof, or
any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall survive delivery
of and payment for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement and the transfer and registration of Registrable Securities by
such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.
(f) Governing Law. This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of New York.
(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and
paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted
for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning
or interpretation of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the
Indenture and the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which
form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to its subject matter. This Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties with respect to its subject matter. This Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be waived (either generally
or in a particular instance
23
and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument
duly executed by the Company and the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time
outstanding. Each holder of any Registrable Securities at the time or
thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment or waiver effected
pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice, writing or
marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such Registrable
Securities or is delivered to such holder.
(i) Inspection. For so long as this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement shall be in effect, this Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders
of Registrable Securities shall be made available for inspection and
copying on any business day by any holder of Registrable Securities for
proper purposes only (which shall include any purpose related to the rights
of the holders of Registrable Securities under the Securities, the
Indenture and this Agreement) at the offices of the Company at the address
thereof set forth in Section 9(c) above and at the office of the Trustee
under the Indenture.
(j) Counterparts. This agreement may be executed by the parties in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.
24
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us 15 counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on
behalf of each of the Purchasers, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall
constitute a binding agreement between each of the Purchasers and the Company.
It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the
Purchasers is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among
Purchasers, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination
upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the
signers thereof.
Very truly yours,
The Gap, Inc.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
-----------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
Accepted as of the date hereof:
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx Inc.
ABN AMRO Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
Fleet Securities, Inc.
Mizuho International plc
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
US Bancorp Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Inc.
By: /s/ XXXXXXX, XXXXX & CO.
--------------------------------
(Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co.)
25
Exhibit A
The Gap, Inc.
INSTRUCTION TO DTC PARTICIPANTS
-------------------------------
(Date of Mailing)
URGENT - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: [DATE]*
-----------------------------
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") has identified you as a DTC Participant
through which beneficial interests in the 8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005
and/or 8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008 (collectively, the "Securities") of The
Gap, Inc. (the "Company") are held.
The Company is in the process of registering the Securities under the Securities
Act of 1933 for resale by the beneficial owners thereof. In order to have their
Securities included in the registration statement, beneficial owners must
complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and Selling
Securityholder Questionnaire.
It is important that beneficial owners of the Securities receive a copy of the
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the Securities
--------------------------------------
included in the registration statement depend upon their returning the Notice
and Questionnaire by [Deadline For Response]. Please forward a copy of the
enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the
Securities through you. If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or
have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact The Gap, Inc., Xxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, (000) 000-0000.
____________________
*Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.
A-1
The Gap, Inc.
Notice of Registration Statement
and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire
------------------------------------
(Date)
Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the
"Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement") between The Gap, Inc. (the
"Company") and the Purchasers named therein. Pursuant to the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement
on Form [S-3] (the "Shelf Registration Statement") for the registration and
resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), of the Company's 8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005 (the "2005 Notes")
and/or 8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008 (the "2008 Notes" and, together with
the 2005 Notes, the "Securities"). A copy of the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement is attached hereto. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (as defined below) is entitled
to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in the
Shelf Registration Statement. In order to have Registrable Securities included
in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration Statement and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire ("Notice and Questionnaire") must be
completed, executed and delivered to the Company's counsel at the address set
forth herein for receipt ON OR BEFORE [Deadline for Response]. Beneficial owners
of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice
and Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as selling securityholders
in the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use the Prospectus forming
a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in
the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus. Accordingly, holders
and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus.
The term "Registrable Securities" is defined in the Exchange and Registration
----------------------
Rights Agreement.
A-2
ELECTION
The undersigned holder (the "Selling Securityholder") of Registrable Securities
hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable
Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3). The
undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees to
be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and conditions
of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were
an original party thereto.
Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver to the Company
and Trustee the Notice of Transfer set forth in Appendix A to the Prospectus and
as Exhibit B to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to the
Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and
complete:
A-3
QUESTIONNAIRE
(1) (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
______________________________________________________________________
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a) above)
of Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
______________________________________________________________________
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same
as (b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3)
below are Held:
______________________________________________________________________
(2) Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________
Fax: __________________________________
Contact Person: __________________________________
(3) Beneficial Ownership of Securities:
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not
beneficially own any Securities.
(a) Principal amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:
$___________ (2005 Notes); $___________ (2008 Notes); CUSIP No(s). of
such Registrable Securities: _________________________________________
(b) Principal amount of Securities other than Registrable Securities
beneficially owned: $___________ (2005 Notes); $___________ (2008
Notes); CUSIP No(s). of such other Securities: _______________________
(c) Principal amount of Registrable Securities which the undersigned
wishes to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement: $__________
(2005 Notes); $___________ (2008 Notes); CUSIP No(s). of such
Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf Registration
Statement: ___________________________________________________________
(4) Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company:
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling
Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other
securities of the Company, other than the Securities listed above in
Item (3).
State any exceptions here:
A-4
(5) Relationships with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any
of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5%
or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material
relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates)
during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
(6) Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder
intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item
(3) only as follows (if at all): Such Registrable Securities may be
sold from time to time directly by the undersigned Selling
Securityholder or, alternatively, through underwriters, broker-dealers
or agents. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time
of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at
negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which
may involve crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national
securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registered
Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, (ii) in the
over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions otherwise than on such
exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market, or (iv)
through the writing of options. In connection with sales of the
Registrable Securities or otherwise, the Selling Securityholder may
enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn
engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities in the course of
hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Securityholder may also
sell Registrable Securities short and deliver Registrable Securities
to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge Registrable
Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it understands
its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, particularly
Regulation M.
In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any portion of the
Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on which such
information is provided to the Company, the Selling Securityholder agrees to
notify the transferee(s) at the time of the transfer of its rights and
obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and
the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and
related Prospectus. The Selling
A-5
Securityholder understands that such information will be relied upon by the
Company in connection with the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement
and related Prospectus.
In accordance with the Selling Securityholder's obligation under Section 3(d) of
the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as
may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the
Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies
or changes in the information provided herein which may occur subsequent to the
date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains in
effect. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and Registration
Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:
(i) To the Company:
The Gap, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
(ii) With a copy to:
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
Old Federal Reserve Bank Building
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Securityholder and
received by the Company's counsel, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire,
and the representations and warranties contained herein, shall be binding on,
shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective
successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the Company and the
Selling Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially
owned by such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item (3) above. This
Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New
York.
A-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this
Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its
duly authorized agent.
Dated: _____________________
__________________________________________________________________
Selling Securityholder
(Print/type full legal name of beneficial owner of Registrable
Securities)
By: ______________________________________________________________
Name:
Title:
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON
OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE COMPANY'S COUNSEL AT:
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
A-7
Exhibit B
NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The Gap, Inc.
c/o The Bank of New York
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Level
Attention: Corporate Trust Reorg. Department
New York, New York 10005
Attention: Trust Officer
Re: The Gap, Inc. (the "Company")
8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005
8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008
Dear Sirs:
Please be advised that ____________________ has transferred [$_______________
aggregate principal amount of the 8.15% Notes due December 15, 2005] [and]
[$___________ aggregate principal amount of 8.80% Notes due December 15, 2008]
pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form [S-3] (File No. 333-___)
filed by the Company.
We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named
beneficial owner of the Notes is named as a "Selling Holder" in the Prospectus
dated [date] or in supplements thereto, and that the aggregate principal amount
of the Notes transferred are the Notes listed in such Prospectus opposite such
owner's name.
Dated:
Very truly yours,
__________________________
(Name)
By: __________________________
(Authorized Signature)
B-1
