EXHIBIT 4.2
EXECUTION COPY
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 28, 2003
between
GREY GLOBAL GROUP INC.
and
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.,
as Representative of the Initial Purchasers
5.0% Contingent Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2033
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
October 28, 2003, by and between GREY GLOBAL GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY") and X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC., as Representative and on behalf
of, the Initial Purchasers (the "INITIAL PURCHASERS") set forth in Schedule I to
the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2003, among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") relating to the sale by the Company to the
Initial Purchasers of $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount 5.0% Contingent
Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2033 (the "FIRM DEBENTURES"), plus up to
an additional $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the same that the
Initial Purchasers may elect to purchase pursuant to the terms of the Purchase
Agreement (the "ADDITIONAL DEBENTURES" and, together with the Firm Debentures,
the "DEBENTURES"), which are convertible, under certain circumstances, into
shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (such shares,
the "UNDERLYING SHARES"). The Debentures are being issued pursuant to an
indenture dated as of the date hereof (the "INDENTURE") between the Company and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE").
In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth
in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent
holder of holders of the Debentures or the Underlying Shares as provided herein.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial
Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Firm Debentures under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Debentures: See the introductory paragraphs to this
Agreement.
Additional Interest: See Section 3(a).
Advice: See Section 4.
Amount of Registrable Securities: (a) With respect to Debentures
constituting Registrable Securities, the aggregate principal amount of all such
Debentures outstanding, (b)
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with respect to Underlying Shares constituting Registrable Securities, the
aggregate number of such Underlying Shares outstanding multiplied by the
Conversion Price (as defined in the Indenture relating to the Debentures upon
the conversion of which such Underlying Shares were issued) in effect at the
time of computing the Amount of Registrable Securities or, if no such Debentures
are then outstanding, the last Conversion Price that was in effect under such
Indenture when any such Debentures were last outstanding, and (c) with respect
to combinations thereof, the sum of (a) and (b) for the relevant Registrable
Securities.
Blackout Period: See Section 3(a).
Business Day: Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on
which banking institutions in New York are authorized or required by law to be
closed.
Closing Date: The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
Company: See the introductory paragraphs to this Agreement.
Damages Payment Date: See Section 3(b).
Debentures: See the introductory paragraphs to this Agreement.
DTC: See Section 4(a).
Effectiveness Date: The 180th day after the Issue Date.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 2(a).
Event Date: See Section 3(b).
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Filing Date: The 90th day after the Issue Date.
Holder: Any record holder of Registrable Securities.
Indemnified Person: See Section 6.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 6.
Indenture: See the introductory paragraphs to this Agreement.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs to this
Agreement.
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Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 2(a).
Inspectors: See Section 4(n).
Issue Date: The date hereof.
Notice and Questionnaire: A written notice delivered to the Company
containing substantially the information called for by the Form of Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire attached as Appendix A to the Offering
Memorandum of the Company relating to the Debentures.
Person: An individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a
partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs to this
Agreement.
Records: See Section 4(n).
Registrable Securities: All Debentures and Underlying Shares upon
original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto until the earliest
to occur of (i) a Registration Statement covering such Debentures and Underlying
Shares having been declared effective by the SEC and such Debentures and
Underlying Shares have been disposed of in accordance with such effective
Registration Statement, (ii) such Debentures and Underlying shares having been
sold in compliance with Rule 144 and (iii) such Debentures and any Underlying
Shares cease to be outstanding.
Registration Default: See Section 3(a).
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
filed with the SEC that covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and
supplements to such registration statement,
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including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all documents
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144)
or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities: The Debentures and the Underlying Shares, until the
Debentures have all been converted into Underlying Shares, in which case
Securities shall mean the Underlying Shares.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Selling Holder: On any date, any Holder that has delivered a Notice
and Questionnaire to the Company on or prior to such date.
Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b).
Shelf Registration Statement: See Section 2(b).
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b).
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Trustee: See the introductory paragraphs to this Agreement.
Underlying Shares: See the introductory paragraphs to this
Agreement.
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Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration
in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to
the public.
2. Shelf Registration
(a) The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration
Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415
covering all of the Registrable Securities (the "INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION");
provided, that, with respect to any particular Registrable Security, the Holder
thereof shall have provided all information regarding such Holder and the
distribution of such Registrable Security as may be required to be in a
registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The Company shall file
with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date. The
Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form
permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by such
Holders in the manner or manners reasonably designated by them (excluding
Underwritten Offerings). The Company shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Securities to be included in the Initial Shelf Registration or
any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below), other than as may be
required to comply with the registration rights granted to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx in
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 1986, between Grey
Advertising Inc. and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx. The Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective under
the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial
Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the
date which is two years from the Issue Date (other than during a Blackout
Period) (as defined below) (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"), or such shorter period
ending when (i) all the Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf
Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the
Initial Shelf Registration, (ii) the date on which all the Registrable
Securities (x) have been resold pursuant to Rule 144 or (y) cease to be
outstanding or (iii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the
Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act.
Holders who elect to sell Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement
will be required to be named as a selling security holder; will be required to
deliver a prospectus to purchasers; will be subject to the civil liability
provisions under the Securities Act in connection with any sales; and will be
bound by the applicable provisions of this Agreement, including the
indemnification obligations herein.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration
or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below) ceases to be effective
for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because
of the sale of all of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder), the
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 45
days of such cessation of effectiveness amend the Shelf Registration in a manner
reasonably expected to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the
effectiveness
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thereof, or file an additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
415 covering all of the Registrable Securities covered by the Initial Shelf
Registration Statement and not theretofore sold (a "SUBSEQUENT SHELF
REGISTRATION"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall
use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective for a period equal to the number
of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during
which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was
previously continuously effective. As used herein the term "SHELF REGISTRATION"
means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration and
the term "SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means any Registration Statement filed
in connection with a Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Company shall promptly supplement
and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf
Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested by
the Holders of a majority in Amount of Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement.
3. Additional Interest
(a) The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Registrable Securities will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill
certain of its obligations under Section 2 hereof and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly,
the Company agrees to pay additional interest on the Registrable Securities
("ADDITIONAL INTEREST") under the circumstances and to the extent set forth
below. Additional Interest shall accrue: (i) if the Initial Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness
Date or (ii) if the effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement
for resales thereunder is suspended at any time during the Effectiveness Period
(other than during a Blackout Period) (each a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"). In each
case, Additional Interest will be payable on the Registrable Securities included
(or that would have been included but for the Company's failure to comply with
Section 4(a) hereof and provided the Holder thereof did not fail to comply with
the provisions of Section 4(o) hereof) in such Registration Statement over and
above the stated interest rate of the Debentures at a rate of 0.25% per annum on
the Amount of Registrable Securities, commencing on (x) the 181st day after the
Issue Date in the case of clause (i) above and (y) the day such Initial Shelf
Registration is suspended in excess of the Blackout Period in the case of clause
(ii) above; provided, however, that (1) upon the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (a)(i) of
this Section 3) or (2) upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement which has been suspended (in the case of (a)(ii) of this Section 3),
Additional Interest on the Registrable Securities as a result of such clause,
shall cease to accrue; provided further, however, that Additional Interest on
the Regis-
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trable Securities may accrue under only one of the foregoing clauses (a)(i) and
(a)(ii) of this Section 3 at any one time. It is understood and agreed that,
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, (1) no Additional Interest shall
accrue on any Registrable Securities that are then covered by an effective Shelf
Registration Statement and (2) the right to receive Additional Interest shall be
the sole and exclusive remedy to the Holders of the Registrable Securities for
breach by the Company of its registration obligations.
As used herein, the term "BLACKOUT PERIOD" means a period of time
not to exceed 45 days in any 90-day period, and not to exceed an aggregate of
120 days in any 365-day period, during which the Company suspends the
effectiveness of the Initial Shelf Registration Statement and the use of the
Prospectus included in the Initial Shelf Registration Statement referred to
above (1) under certain circumstances relating to pending corporate
developments, including but not limited to acquisitions, divestitures,
dispositions and financings, public filings with the SEC and similar events or
(2) the occurrence of any other event which would require disclosure of material
non-public information by the Company as to which the Company has a bona fide
business purpose for preserving confidentiality; provided, that, so long as
Registrable Securities are outstanding the Company shall provide the Trustee
with prompt written notice of the commencement of and prompt written notice of
the termination of each such Blackout Period; provided further, however, that
the Company need not specify the nature of the event giving rise to a Blackout
Period in any such notice to the Trustee.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee within five Business Days
after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "EVENT DATE"). The Additional
Interest due shall be payable in cash semi-annually on each April 15 and October
15 (each a "DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE"), commencing with the first such date
occurring after any such Additional Interest begins to accrue, to the record
Holder of Registrable Securities entitled to receive the regular interest on
such Damages Payment Date, with respect to Debentures that are Registrable
Securities, and to Persons that are registered Holders on April 1 and October 1
immediately prior to a Damages Payment Date with respect to Underlying Shares
that are Registrable Securities. The amount of Additional Interest for
Registrable Securities will be determined by multiplying the rate of Additional
Interest by the Amount of Registrable Securities outstanding on the Damages
Payment Date following a Registration Default in the case of the first such
payment of Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default and
thereafter at the next succeeding Damages Payment Date until the cure of such
Registration Default.
4. Registration Procedures
In connection with the registration of any Registrable Securities
pursuant to Section 2 hereof, the Company shall effect such registrations to
permit the sale of such Reg-
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istrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of
disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:
(a) (i) Promptly upon request from any Holder of Registrable
Securities, the Company will provide a form of Notice and Questionnaire, which
must be completed and delivered by such Holder to the Company at least five
Business Days before any intended distribution of Registrable Securities under
the Shelf Registration Statement. To be named as a selling security holder in
the Shelf Registration Statement when it first becomes effective, Holders must
complete and deliver the Notice and Questionnaire in substantially the form of
Appendix A to the Offering Memorandum dated October 22, 2003 with respect to the
initial offering of the Securities before the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement. If the Company receives from a Holder of Registrable
Securities a completed Notice and Questionnaire, together with such other
information as the Company may reasonably request, after the effectiveness of
the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will file an amendment to the
Shelf Registration Statement, or a supplement to the related Prospectus, to
permit the Holder to deliver a Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable
Securities. Any Holder that does not complete and deliver a Notice and
Questionnaire or provide such other information will not be named as a selling
security holder in the Prospectus and will not be permitted to sell any
Registrable Securities under the applicable Shelf Registration Statement.
(ii) Prepare and file with the SEC on or prior to the Filing
Date, a Registration Statement as prescribed by Section 2 hereof, and
to use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement
to become effective and remain effective as provided herein, provided
that, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto, the Company shall upon written
request from any registered Holder of Registrable Securities (which in
the case of Registrable Securities in the form of global certificates
shall be The Depository Trust Company ("DTC")) to be covered by such
Registration Statement, furnish to and afford such Holder a reasonable
opportunity to review copies of all such documents (including copies of
any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits
thereto) proposed to be filed. Before filing any Registration Statement
or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto the Company will
consider any reasonable objections of the Holders of a majority in
Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or their
counsel, if any.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, as may be
necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for the
Effectiveness Period (other than during a Blackout Period); cause the related
Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by
applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to
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Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act; and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to it with respect
to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) Notify the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities named in the
Shelf Registration Statement promptly (but in any event within five Business
Days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, without charge, one
conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment), (ii)
of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
Prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of the
receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any
of the Registrable Securities for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation or threatening in writing of any proceeding for such purpose, (iv) of
the happening of any event or any information becoming known that makes any
statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue
in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such
Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the
Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of
the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, and (v) of the Company's determination that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification
(or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible
moment.
(e) Deliver to each Selling Holder of Registrable Securities, without
charge, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of
preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any
documents incorporated by
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reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the
last paragraph of this Section 4, the Company hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the Selling
Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering and sale of
the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto.
(f) Cause the Company's counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and
file registrations and qualifications required to be filed in connection with
the registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) of such Registrable
Securities; keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption
therefrom) effective during the period such Registration Statement is required
to be kept effective and do any and all other reasonable acts or things
necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the
Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement,
provided that the Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any
action that would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation
in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction.
(g) Cooperate with the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any
restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with DTC; and
enable such Registrable Securities to be registered in such names as Selling
Holders may request.
(h) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such
other United States governmental agencies or authorities of the United States as
may be necessary to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of
such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a consequence
of the nature of such Selling Holder's business, in which case the Company will
cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration
Statement and the granting of such approvals.
(i) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph 4(c)(iv)
or 4(c)(v) above, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to Section
4(a) above) file with the SEC, solely at the expense of the Company, a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities
being sold thereunder, any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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(j) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the Trustee with printed
certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with
DTC and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.
(k) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than
the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the
Registrable Securities; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee
and the Selling Holders of the Registrable Securities to effect such changes to
the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to
effect such changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with
the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(l) During the Effectiveness Period, comply in all material respects
with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make generally
available to its securityholders earning statements satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule
promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 90 days after the end of any
12-month period commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Company after the effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement.
(m) Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps necessary
to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
(n) During the Effectiveness Period, make available at reasonable times
for inspection by representatives of the Selling Holders of such Registrable
Securities designated in writing by Holders of a majority in Amount of
Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration Statement and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Selling Holders
(collectively, the "INSPECTORS"), at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours at such time or times as shall be mutually convenient
for the Company and the Inspectors as a group, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the "RECORDS") as shall be reasonably necessary to
enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause
the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to
supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection
with such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall have
no obligation to provide any such information prior to the execution by the
party receiving such information of a confidentiality agreement in a form
reasonably acceptable to the Company. The Inspectors shall treat all records as
confidential and such records shall not be disclosed by any Inspector unless (i)
the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material
misstatement or
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material omission in such Registration Statement, (ii) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of
competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such information is, in the opinion
of counsel for any Inspector, necessary or advisable in connection with any
action, claim, suit or proceeding directly involving or potentially involving
such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this
Agreement or any transactions contemplated hereby or arising hereunder, (iv) the
information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than through the acts of such Inspector; provided, however, that prior
notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Company of the potential
disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii)
of this sentence to permit the Company to obtain a protective order (or waive
the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such
actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such
information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not
inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests
of any Holder or Inspector or (v) the information in such Records has been made
generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this
Agreement.
(o) Each Holder agrees, by acquisition of the Registrable Securities,
that no Holder shall be entitled to sell any of such Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement or to receive a Prospectus relating
thereto, unless such Holder has furnished the Company with a Notice and
Questionnaire as required pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof (including the
information required to be included in such Notice and Questionnaire) and the
information set forth in the next sentence. Each Selling Holder agrees promptly
to furnish to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Selling Holder
not misleading and any other information regarding such Selling Holder and the
distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time
reasonably request. Any sale of any Registrable Securities by any Holder shall
constitute a representation and warranty by such Holder that the information
relating to such Holder and its plan of distribution is as set forth in the
Prospectus delivered by such Holder in connection with such disposition, that
such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale contain any untrue
statement of a material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its plan
of distribution and that such Prospectus does not as of the time of such sale
omit to state any material fact relating to or provided by such Holder or its
plan of distribution necessary to make the statement in such Prospectus, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
The Company may require each Selling Holder of Registrable
Securities to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Selling
Holder and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may,
from time to time, reasonably request. The Company may exclude from such
registration the Registrable Securities of any Selling Holder who fails to
furnish such information within 20 Business Days after receiving such request.
Each Selling Holder as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected is
deemed
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to agree to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be
disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company
by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any notice of a Blackout Period in
accordance with Section 3(a) hereof or upon the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 4(c)(ii), 4(c)(iii), 4(c)(iv), or 4(c)(v), such Holder
will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such holder's receipt of the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(e),
or until it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the Company that the use of
the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
amendments or supplements thereto. Each Holder agrees to keep any such notice
confidential. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the
Effectiveness Period shall be extended by the number of days during such period
from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the
date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration
Statement shall be given (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(e) or (y) the Advice.
5. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not
a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, including, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws
(including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel
in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for investment
under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as provided in Section
4(f)), (ii) printing expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit
with DTC and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is
requested by the Holders of a majority in Amount of Registrable Securities
included in any Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (vi) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company, (vii) internal expenses
of the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties),
(viii) the expense of any annual audit, (ix) the fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, if applicable, (x) the expenses relating to printing, word processing
and distributing all Registration Statements and any other documents necessary
in order to comply with this Agreement and (xi) fees and expenses of the
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Trustee. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Holder
shall pay all brokerage commissions with respect to any Registrable Securities
sold by it and, except as set forth in clause (i) of this Section 5, the Company
shall not be responsible for the fees and expenses of any counsel, accountant or
advisor for the Holders.
6. Indemnification
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial
Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers
and each Person, if any, who controls such Initial Purchaser or any Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses
incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim
asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise
out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are
based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating
to such Initial Purchaser or any such Holder furnished to the Company in writing
through X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc. or any such Selling Holder expressly for use
therein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with the
sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, the
Company will not be liable to any Holder with respect to any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
any preliminary prospectus of a Registration Statement that is corrected in a
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) relating to such securities if the Person
asserting any such claim, loss, damage or liability purchased such securities
and was not sent or given a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented
if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) if
delivery of such Prospectus by such Holder was required under the Securities
Act, provided the Company delivered in sufficient quantity such Prospectus (as
amended or supplemented if any Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) to such Holder sufficiently in advance of the written
confirmation of the sale of the securities to such Person asserting such claim,
loss, damage or liability and any such claims, losses, damages, or liabilities
result from (or are alleged to result from) the fact that a copy of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if any Issuer shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) was not delivered to such Person at or prior
to the written confirmation of the sale of the securities to such Person.
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(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, each Initial Purchaser and each other Selling Holder,
their respective affiliates, the directors of the Company, each officer of the
Company who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who
controls the Company, such Initial Purchaser and such other Selling Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a)
above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that
arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any
information relating to such Holder furnished to the Company in writing through
any such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement and any
Prospectus.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either
paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") shall
promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the
"INDEMNIFYING PERSON") in writing; provided that the failure to notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have
under this Section 6 except to the extent that the Indemnifying Person has been
materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses)
by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to
an Indemnified Person otherwise than under this Section 6. If any such
proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it
shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person,
upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and
any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 6 that the
Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any
such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person
has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different
from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the
named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related
proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more
than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified
Persons. Any such separate firm (x) for the Initial Purchaser, its affiliates,
direc-
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tors and officers and any control Persons of the Initial Purchaser shall be
designated in writing by the Initial Purchaser, (y) for any Holders, their
affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of any such Holders
shall be designated in writing by the majority in Amount of Registrable
Securities and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the
Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying
Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person
shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have
been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A)
includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability
on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not
include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure
to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above
is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each
Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person, on the one hand, and by the
Indemnified Person, on the other hand, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or
from the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to any Shelf
Registration or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted
by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the
relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the
Indemnifying Person on the one hand and the Indemnified Person on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Holders and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) The Company, the Initial Purchasers and the Holders agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result
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of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d)
above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above,
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 6, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holder from the
offering or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) The remedies provided for in this Section 6 are not exclusive and
shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any
Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
(g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section
6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, their respective affiliates or any Person
controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the
Company, its affiliates or the officers or directors of or any Person
controlling the Company, (iii) acceptance of any of the Registrable Securities
and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration
Statement.
7. Rule 144 and Rule 144A
The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be
filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner
and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will,
upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, make publicly
available other information so long as necessary to permit sales pursuant to
Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Company further covenants
it will 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 limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144 and Rule
144A under the Securities Act, as such rules may be amended from time to time,
or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
8. Underwritten Registrations
No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any
Underwritten Registration hereunder.
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9. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not, as of the date
hereof, entered and shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to any of its securities that restricts the rights
granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise
conflicts with the provisions hereof. After the date of this Agreement, the
Company will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities
which will grant to any Person piggy-back rights with respect to a Registration
Statement (as defined herein).
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Company shall
not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of the Company and the Holders of not less than the majority in Amount
of Registrable Securities; provided, however, that Section 6 and this Section
9(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written
consent of the Company and each Holder (including, in the case of an amendment,
modification or supplement to Section 6, any Person who was a Holder of
Registrable Securities disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair,
limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be
given by Holders of at least a majority in Amount of Registrable Securities
being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including without
limitation any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile, if provided:
(i) if to a Holder of Registrable Securities, at the most
current address of such Holder set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture, in the case of Holders of Debentures,
and the stock ledger of the Company, in the case of Holders of
Underlying Shares, unless, in either such case, any Holder shall have
provided notice information in a Notice and Questionnaire or any
amendment thereto, in which case such information shall control; and
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(ii) if to the Company, at 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx 00000, (facsimile no.: (000) 000-0000), Attention: Corporate
Secretary, with a copy to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP,
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, (facsimile no.: [ ]),
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, and
(iii) if to the Initial Purchasers, X.X. Xxxxxx Securities
Inc., 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000; Attention: Syndicate
Department.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when the Person
giving such notice or communication receives facsimile confirmation, if sent by
facsimile during normal business hours, and otherwise on the next Business Day
during normal business hours.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall
be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the trustee under the
Indenture at the address specified in the Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto,
including the Holders; provided, that, with respect to the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 6, each Holder of Registrable Securities
subsequent to the Initial Purchaser shall be bound by the terms thereof if such
Holder elects to include Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be
binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such
successor or assign holds Registrable Securities.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURIS-
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DICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement, and is intended to be a complete and
exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in
respect of the subject matter contained herein.
(k) Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage in Amount of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company or any of its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or
approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.
(l) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Securities are
intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may be
enforced by such Persons.
S-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
GREY GLOBAL GROUP INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC., as representative
of the Initial Purchasers
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
