CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. as the Company CHINA SAFETECH HOLDINGS LIMITED as the Guarantor and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation as the Trustee INDENTURE Dated September 2, 2009 Tranche B Zero Coupon...
Β
Exhibit 4.2
Execution Version
Β
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
as the Company
Β
CHINA SAFETECH HOLDINGS LIMITED
Β
as the Guarantor
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
a New York banking corporation
as the Trustee
__________________________
INDENTURE
Dated September 2, 2009
__________________________
Tranche B Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes
Β
Β
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Β | Β | Β | Page | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β ARTICLE 1Β | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β DEFINITIONSΒ | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Section 1.01. Definitions | Β | Β | 1 | Β | ||
Section 1.02. Other Definitions | Β | Β | 28 | Β | ||
Section 1.03. Rules of Construction. | Β | Β | 29 | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β ARTICLE 2Β | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Section 2.01. Designation Amount and Issue of Notes | Β | Β | 30 | Β | ||
Section 2.02. Form of Notes | Β | Β | 30 | Β | ||
Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes | Β | Β | 32 | Β | ||
Section 2.04. Execution of Notes | Β | Β | 32 | Β | ||
Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer | Β | Β | 33 | Β | ||
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes | Β | Β | 35 | Β | ||
Section 2.07. Temporary Notes | Β | Β | 36 | Β | ||
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes | Β | Β | 36 | Β | ||
Section 2.09. Defaulted Interest | Β | Β | 36 | Β | ||
Section 2.10. CUSIP Numbers | Β | Β | 37 | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β ARTICLE 3Β | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF NOTESΒ | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Section 3.01. Redemption | Β | Β | 37 | Β | ||
Section 3.02. Offer to Purchase | Β | Β | 38 | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Β Β ARTICLE 4Β | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANYΒ | Β | |||||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β | ||
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal | Β | Β | 40 | Β | ||
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency | Β | Β | 41 | Β | ||
Section 4.03. Provisions as to Paying Agent | Β | Β | 41 | Β | ||
Section 4.04. Existence | Β | Β | 42 | Β | ||
Section 4.05. Maintenance of Properties | Β | Β | 42 | Β | ||
Section 4.06. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims | Β | Β | 43 | Β | ||
Section 4.07. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | Β | Β | 43 | Β | ||
Section 4.08. Payments for Consent | Β | Β | 43 | Β |
i
Β
Section 4.09. Incurrence of Additional Debt; Financial Covenants | Β | 44 | Β |
Section 4.10. Restricted Payments | 44 | ||
Section 4.11. Liens | Β |
46 |
Β |
Section 4.12. Asset Sales | 46 | ||
Section 4.13. Restrictions on Distributions from Subsidiaries | Β | 47 | Β |
Section 4.14. Affiliate Transactions | 48 | ||
Section 4.15. Issuance or Sale of Capital Stock of Subsidiaries | Β | 50 | Β |
Section 4.16. Maintenance of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth | 51 | ||
Section 4.17. Repurchase at the Option of Holders Following a Change of Control | Β | 51 | Β |
Section 4.18. Future Guarantors | 51 | ||
Section 4.19. Business Activities | Β | 52 | Β |
Section 4.20. Sale and Leaseback Transactions | 52 | ||
Section 4.21. [Reserved] | Β | 52 | Β |
Section 4.22. Maintenance of Insurance | 52 | ||
Section 4.23. Repurchase Upon Termination of Trading | Β | 52 | Β |
Section 4.24. Government Approvals and Licenses; Compliance with Law | 52 | ||
Section 4.25. [Reserved] | Β | 53 | Β |
Section 4.26. Notes to Rank Senior | 53 | ||
Section 4.27. Compliance Certificate | Β | 53 | Β |
Section 4.28. Calculation of Original Issue Discount | 53 | ||
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 5Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β SUCCESSORSΒ | |||
Β | |||
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets | Β | 54 | Β |
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted | 56 | ||
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 6Β | |||
Β | |||
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT | |||
Β | |||
Section 6.01. Events of Default | Β | 56 | Β |
Section 6.02. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor | 59 | ||
Section 6.03. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee | Β | 61 | Β |
Section 6.04. Proceedings by Noteholder | 61 | ||
Section 6.05. Proceedings by Trustee | Β | 62 | Β |
Section 6.06. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing | 62 | ||
Section 6.07. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Noteholders | Β | 62 | Β |
Section 6.08. Notice of Default | 63 | ||
Section 6.09. Undertaking to Pay Costs | Β | 63 | Β |
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 7Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β THE TRUSTEEΒ |
ii
Β
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | Β | 64 | Β |
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee | 65 | ||
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc | Β | 68 | Β |
Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Depositary or Registrar May Own Notes | 68 | ||
Section 7.05. Monies to Be Held in Trust | Β | 68 | Β |
Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee | 68 | ||
Section 7.07. Eligibility of Trustee | Β | 69 | Β |
Section 7.08. Resignation or Removal of Trustee | 69 | ||
Section 7.09. Acceptance by Successor Trustee | Β | 71 | Β |
Section 7.10. Succession by Merger | 71 | ||
Section 7.11. Trustee's Application for Instructions from the Company | Β | 72 | Β |
Section 7.12. [Reserved] | 72 | ||
Section 7.13. Certain Provisions | Β | 72 | Β |
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 8Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURESΒ | |||
Β | |||
Section 8.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Noteholders | Β | 72 | Β |
Section 8.02. Supplemental Indenture with Consent of Noteholders | 74 | ||
Section 8.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture | Β | 75 | Β |
Section 8.04. Notation on Notes | 75 | ||
Section 8.05. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee | Β | 76 | Β |
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 9Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β GUARANTEESΒ | |||
Β | |||
Section 9.01. Guarantee | Β | 76 | Β |
Section 9.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 78 | ||
Section 9.03. Execution and Delivery of Guarantee | Β | 78 | Β |
Section 9.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms | 79 | ||
Section 9.05. Releases Following Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets, Etc | Β | 79 | Β |
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 10Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β [RESERVED]Β | |||
Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β ARTICLE 11Β | |||
Β | |||
Β Β SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTUREΒ | |||
Β | |||
Section 11.01. Discharge of Indenture | Β | 80 | Β |
Section 11.02. Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee | 81 | ||
Section 11.03. Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held | Β | 81 | Β |
iii
Β
Section 11.04. Return of Unclaimed Monies | Β | 81 | Β |
Section 11.05. Reinstatement | Β | 81 | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β ARTICLE 12Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β THE NOTEHOLDERSΒ | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Section 12.01. Action by Noteholders | Β | 82 | Β |
Section 12.02. Proof of Execution by Noteholders | Β | 82 | Β |
Section 12.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners | Β | 82 | Β |
Section 12.04. Company-owned Notes Disregarded | Β | 83 | Β |
Section 12.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound | Β | 83 | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β ARTICLE 13Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERSΒ | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Section 13.01. Purpose of Meetings | Β | 84 | Β |
Section 13.02. Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders | Β | 84 | Β |
Section 13.03. Qualifications for Voting | Β | 84 | Β |
Section 13.04. Regulations | Β | 85 | Β |
Section 13.05. Voting | Β | 85 | Β |
Section 13.06. No Delay of Rights by Meeting | Β | 84 | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β ARTICLE 14Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
[RESERVED] |
Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β ARTICLE 15Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β Β MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSΒ | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Section 15.01. Provisions Binding on Company's Successors | Β | 87 | Β |
iv
Β
Section 15.02. Official Acts by Successor Corporation | Β | 87 | Β |
Section 15.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc | Β | 87 | Β |
Section 15.04. Governing Law | Β | 88 | Β |
Section 15.05. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates to Trustee | Β | 88 | Β |
Section 15.06. Legal Holidays | Β | 89 | Β |
Section 15.07. Company Responsible for Making Calculations | Β | 89 | Β |
Section 15.08. Benefits of Indenture | Β | 89 | Β |
Section 15.09. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | Β | 89 | Β |
Section 15.10. Authenticating Agent | Β | 90 | Β |
Section 15.11. Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations | Β | 90 | Β |
Section 15.12. Execution in Counterparts | Β | 91 | Β |
Section 15.13. Severability | Β | 91 | Β |
Section 15.14. Consent to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process | Β | 91 | Β |
Section 15.15. Currency Indemnity. | Β | 92 | Β |
Section 15.16. U.S.A. Patriot Act. | Β | 92 | Β |
Β
Exhibit A - FORM OF NOTE |
Exhibit B - FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE |
Exhibit C - FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER |
v
INDENTURE
INDENTURE dated September 2, 2009, between CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC, a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the βCompanyβ), the Guarantor listed on the signature pages hereto, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation, as trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the βTrusteeβ).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issue of its Tranche B Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes (hereinafter called the βNotesβ), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $84,000,000 and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, each Guarantor has duly authorized the issue of its Guarantee of the Notes and, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Guarantee is to be issued and delivered, each Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Notes, the certificate of authentication to be borne by the Notes, a form of notation of Guarantee, a form of Assignment and a form of Purchase Notice to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided for; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as in this Indenture provided, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to constitute this Indenture a valid agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issue hereunder of the Notes have in all respects been duly authorized,
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01.Β Β Definitions. Β
The terms defined in this Section (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. Β All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this Indenture. Β The words βhereinβ, βhereofβ, βhereunderβ and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. Β The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.
1
βAdditional Assetsβ means:
(a) any Property (other than cash, Cash Equivalent and securities) to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and used in a Related Business; or
(b) Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company from any Person other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (b), such Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.
βAffiliateβ of any specified Person means:
(a) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person, or
(b) any other Person who is a director or officer of:
(1) such specified Person,
(2) any Subsidiary of such specified Person, or
(3) any Person described in clause (a) above. Β
For the purposes of this definition, βcontrol,β when used with respect to any Person, means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms βcontrollingβ and βcontrolledβ have meanings correlative to the foregoing. Β For purposes of Section 4.12 and Section 4.14 and the definition of βAdditional Assetsβ only, βAffiliateβ shall also mean any Beneficial Owner of shares representing 5% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or warrants to purchase such Voting Stock (whether or not currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such Beneficial Owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. or any of its Affiliates be considered an Affiliate of the Company.
Β βAmended Investor Rights Agreementβ means the second amended and restated investor rights agreement dated the Issue Date by and among the Company, the Guarantor, the Operating Subsidiary, and Citadel Equity Fund Ltd.
βApplicable Proceduresβ means, with respect to any transfer, repurchase or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of DTC that apply to such transfer, repurchase or exchange.
2
βAsset Saleβ means any sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a βdispositionβ), of
(a) any shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company (other than directors' qualifying shares), or
(b) any other Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Subsidiary,
other than, in the case of clause (a) or (b) above,
(1) any disposition by a Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
(2) any disposition that constitutes a Permitted Investment or Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.10,
(3) any disposition effected in compliance with the first paragraph of Section 5.01,
(4) any disposition of inventory of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, or inventory or other property that in the reasonable judgment of the Company have become uneconomic, obsolete or worn out,
(5) the sale or discount of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business, and
(6) any disposition in a single transaction or a series of related transactions of assets for aggregate consideration of less than $5.0 million.
βAttributable Debtβ in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at any date of determination,
(a) if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby according to the definition of βCapital Lease Obligations,β and
(b) in all other instances, the present value (discounted at the weighted average interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded annually in the most recently completed twelve months) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).
βAverage Lifeβ means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing:
(a) the sum of the product of the numbers of years (rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of one year) from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by
3
(b) the sum of all such payments.
βBankruptcy Lawβ means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, or the law of any other jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.
βBeneficial Ownerβ has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular βpersonβ (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such βpersonβ shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such βpersonβ has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition or passage of time. Β The terms βBeneficially Ownsβ and βBeneficially Ownedβ have a corresponding meaning.
βBoard of Directorsβ means (1) in respect of a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation, or (except if used in the definition of βChange of Controlβ) any duly authorized committee thereof; and (2) in respect of any other Person, the board or committee of that Person serving an equivalent function.
βBoard Resolutionβ of a Person means a copy of a resolution (in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary (or individual performing comparable duties) of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
βBusiness Dayβ means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
βCapital Expendituresβ means expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration or accrued as a liability and including that portion of Capital Lease Obligations which is capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries) by the Company and its Subsidiaries that, in conformity with GAAP, are included in βadditions to property, plant and equipmentβ or as capitalized internally developed software or comparable items reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
βCapital Lease Obligationsβ means any obligation under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty. Β For purposes of Section 4.11 a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased.
βCapital Stockβ means, with respect to any Person, any shares or other equivalents (however designated) of any class of corporate stock or partnership interests or any other participations, rights, warrants, options or other interests in the nature of an equity interest in such Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into such equity interest.
4
βCapital Stock Sale Proceedsβ means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees) by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Issue Date, net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
βCash Equivalentsβ means any of the following: Β
(a) Investments in U.S. Government Securities maturing within 365 days of the date of acquisition thereof;
(b) Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 90 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $500 million and whose long-term debt is rated βA-3β or βA-β or higher according to Xxxxx'x or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one βnationally recognized statistical rating organizationβ (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));
(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) entered into with:
(1) a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above, or
(2) any primary government securities dealer reporting to the Market Reports Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York;
(d) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 90 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any Investment therein is made of βP-1β (or higher) according to Xxxxx'x or βA-1β (or higher) according to S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one βnationally recognized statistical rating organizationβ (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act));
(e) direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of any state of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such state are pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option, provided that:
(1) the long-term debt of such state is rated βA-3β or βA-β or higher according to Xxxxx'x or S&P (or such similar equivalent rating by at least one βnationally recognized statistical rating organizationβ (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act)), and
5
(2) such obligations mature within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof; and
(f) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits with (i) Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and China Merchants Bank or (ii) any other bank or trust company organized under the laws of the PRC whose long-term debt is rated as high or higher than any of those banks.
Β βChange of Controlβ means the occurrence of any of the following events:
Β (a) the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or substantially all the Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than a disposition of such Property as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders), shall have occurred, or the Company merges, consolidates or amalgamates with or into any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) or any other Person (other than one or more Permitted Holders) merges, consolidates or amalgamates with or into the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for cash, securities or other Property, other than any such transaction where:
(1) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is reclassified into or exchanged for other Voting Stock of the Company or for Voting Stock of the Surviving Person, and
(2) the holders of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the Voting Stock of the Company or the Surviving Person immediately after such transaction and in substantially the same proportion as before the transaction; or
(b)
Continuing Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office; or
(c)
the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
βClearstreamβ means Clearstream Banking, S.A. (or
any successor securities clearing agency).
Β
6
βCodeβ means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
βCommissionβ means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
βCommodity Price Protection Agreementβ means, in respect of a Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in commodity prices.
βCommon Stockβ means any stock of any class of the Company which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company. Β
βCompanyβ means the corporation named as the βCompanyβ in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and, subject to the provisions of Article 5, shall include its successors and assigns.
βConsolidated Interest Expenseβ means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent Incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries, without duplication,
(a) interest expense attributable to leases constituting part of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction and to Capital Lease Obligations,
(b) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, including commitment fees,
(c) capitalized interest,
(d) non-cash interest expense,
(e) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and banker's acceptance financing,
(f) net costs associated with Hedging Obligations (including amortization of fees),
(g) Disqualified Stock Dividends (other than dividends payable in Capital Stock other than Disqualified Stock),
7
(h) Preferred Stock Dividends (other than dividends payable in Capital Stock other than Disqualified Stock) of Subsidiaries,
(i) interest accruing on any Debt of any other Person to the extent such Debt is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and
(j) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust, if any and to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in connection with Debt Incurred by such plan or trust.
βConsolidated Net Incomeβ means, for any period, the net income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:
(a) any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Subsidiary of the Company, except that:
(1) subject to the exclusions contained in clauses (c), (d) and (e) below, equity of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to such Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (b) below), and
(2) the equity of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,
(b) any net income (loss) of any Subsidiary of the Company if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:
(1) subject to the exclusions contained in clauses (c), (d) and (e) below, the equity of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in the net income of any such Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed by such Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another of its Subsidiaries as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to another Subsidiary of the Company, to the limitation contained in this clause), and
(2) the equity of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries in a net loss of any such Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income,
(c) any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Property of the Company or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business,
8
(d) any extraordinary gain or loss, and
(e) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles. Β
βConsolidated Net Worthβ means the total of the amounts shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Company ending prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as:
(a) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock of the Company, plus
(b) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock, plus
(c) any retained earnings or earned surplus, less:
(1) any accumulated deficit, and
(2) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any equity security convertible into or exchangeable for Debt, the cost of treasury stock and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from the sale of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, each item to be determined in conformity with GAAP.
βConsolidated Tangible Net Worthβ means, as of any date of determination, the Consolidated Net Worth less the Intangible Assets.
βContinuing Directorsβ means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors who (a) was a member of the Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture or (b) was nominated for election to the Board of Directors by, or whose election was ratified with the approval of, a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.
βCorporate Trust Officeβ shall be the address of the Trustee specified in Section 15.03 hereof, or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
βCredit Facilitiesβ means, with respect to the Subsidiaries (including any Person who becomes a Subsidiary after the Issue Date), one or more debt or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders in the PRC providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables or inventory financing (including through the sale of receivables or inventory to such lenders or to special purpose, bankruptcy remote entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables or inventory) or trade letters of credit, in each case together with any Refinancings thereof by any lender or syndicate of lenders.
Β βCurrency Exchange Protection Agreementβ means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, currency option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
9
βCustodianβ means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.02(e) as Custodian with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as custodian hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
βDebtβ means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):
(a) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of:
(1) debt of such Person for money borrowed, and
(2) debt evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;
(b) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;
(c) all obligations of such Person representing the deferred purchase price of Property, all conditional sale obligations of such Person and all obligations of such Person under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);
(d) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (a) through (c) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);
(e) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the Repayment of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of such Person, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);
(f) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any guarantee;
(g) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of other Persons secured by any Lien on any Property of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such Property and the amount of the obligation so secured; and
(h) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person. Β
10
The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance, or the accreted value of such Debt in the case of Debt issued with original issue discount, at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date. Β The amount of Debt represented by a Hedging Obligation shall be equal to the notional amount of such Hedging Obligation.
βDefaultβ means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
βDefinitive Noteβ means a certificated Note registered in the name of the holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.05 or 2.07 hereof, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the βSchedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Noteβ attached thereto.
βDepositaryβ means with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes, the Person designated as Depositary by the Company pursuant to the Indenture and its successors. Β
βDisqualified Stockβ means any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, in either case at the option of the holder thereof) or otherwise:
(a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,
(b) is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof (except that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of such Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.10 hereof), in whole or in part, or
(c) is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Debt or Disqualified Stock,
on or prior to, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), the first anniversary of the Final Redemption Date.
βDisqualified Stock Dividendsβ means all dividends with respect to Disqualified Stock of the Company held by Persons other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary. Β The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the Company.
Β βDTCβ means The Depositary Trust Company.
11
βEBITDAβ means, for any period, an amount equal to, for the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries:
(a) the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period: Β
(1) the provision for taxes based on income or profits or utilized in computing net loss,
(2) Consolidated Interest Expense,
(3) depreciation,
(4) amortization of intangibles, and
(5) any other non-cash items (other than any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of, or reserve for, cash expenditures in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense paid in a period prior to the period that is subject to calculation), minus
(b) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period. Β
Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (a), the provision for taxes and the depreciation, amortization and non-cash items of a Subsidiary of the Company shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its shareholders.
βEuroclearβ means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as
operator of the Euroclear system (or any successor securities clearing agency).
Β
Β βExchange Actβ means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.
βEx-Dividend Timeβ means, with respect to any distribution on shares of Common Stock, the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade regularly on the principal securities market on which the shares of Common Stock are then traded without the right to receive such distribution.
βFair Market Valueβ means, with respect to any Property at the time of determination, the price that could be negotiated in an arm's-length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Β Fair Market Value shall be determined, except as otherwise provided,
12
(a) if such Property has a Fair Market Value equal to or less than $1.0 million, by any Officer of the Company,
(b) if such Property has a Fair Market Value in excess of $1.0 million but less than or equal to $5.0 million, by a majority of the Board of Directors and evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, or
(c) if such Property has a Fair Market Value in excess of $5.0 million, by an Independent Financial Advisor and evidenced by a written opinion from such Independent Financial Advisor dated within 30 days of the relevant transaction delivered to the Trustee.
βFinal Redemption Dateβ means September 2, 2012.
βFiscal Quarterβ means each of the three month periods ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
βForeign Subsidiaryβ means any Subsidiary of the Company which is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
βGAAPβ means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect on the Issue Date, including those set forth in:
(a) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
(b) the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
(c) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and
(d) the rules and regulations of the Commission governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the Commission.
All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.
βGlobal Note Legendβ means the legend set forth on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
βGlobal Notesβ means the global Notes in the form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Article 2 hereof.
βGovernmental Approvalβ means any authorization of or by, consent of, approval of, license from, ruling of, permit from, tariff by, rate of, certification by, exemption from, filing with (except any filing relating to the perfection of security interests), variance from, claim of, order from, judgment from, decree of, publication to or by, notice to, declaration of or with or registration by or with any Governmental Authority, whether tacit or express.
13
βGovernmental Authorityβ means any federal, state, national, provincial, municipal, local, territorial or other government department, ministry (including local counterparts thereof), commission, board, agency, regulatory authority, instrumentality, judicial or administrative body, domestic or foreign.
βguaranteeβ means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
(a)
to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or
(b)
entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
provided, however, that the term βguaranteeβ shall not include:
(1) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business, or
(2) a contractual commitment by one Person to invest in another Person for so long as such Investment is reasonably expected to constitute a Permitted Investment under clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of βPermitted Investment.β Β
The term βguaranteeβ used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. Β The term βguarantorβ shall mean any Person guaranteeing any obligation.
βGuaranteeβ means the Guarantee of the Notes by each of the Guarantors pursuant to Article 9 and in the form of the Guarantee attached as Exhibit B and any additional Guarantee of the Notes to be executed by any Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to Section 4.18.
βGuarantorβ means Safetech and any other Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.18 or who otherwise executes and delivers a supplemental indenture (in form satisfactory to the Trustee) to the Trustee providing for a Guarantee; provided that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its respective Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
βHedging Obligationβ of any Person means any obligation of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Exchange Protection Agreement, Commodity Price Protection Agreement or any other similar agreement or arrangement
βIncurβ means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by merger, conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend, assume, guarantee or become liable in respect of such Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Debt or obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and βIncurrenceβ and βIncurredβ shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided, however, that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time, and is not theretofore classified as Debt, becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt; and provided further, however, that any Debt or other obligations of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.
14
βIndentureβ means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.
βIndependent Financial Advisorβ means an investment banking firm of international standing or any third party appraiser of international standing, provided that such firm or appraiser is not an Affiliate of the Company.
βIntangible Assetsβ shall mean as of the date of any determination thereof the total amount of all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries classified as goodwill, patents, trade names, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, experimental expense, organization expense, unamortized debt discount and expense, deferred assets other than prepaid insurance and prepaid taxes, the excess of cost of shares acquired over book value of related assets and such other assets as are properly classified as βintangible assetsβ in accordance with GAAP.
βInterestβ means, when used with reference to the Notes, any interest payable under the terms of the Notes.
βInterest Rate Agreementβ means, for any Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates.
βInvestmentβ by any Person means any direct or indirect loan (other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of such Person), advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or Incurrence of a guarantee of any obligation of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person. Β
In determining the amount of any Investment made by transfer of any Property other than cash, such Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such Investment.
βIssue Dateβ means September 2, 2009.
Β βLegal Holidayβ means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, the PRC, London, England, the city in which the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located or any other place of payment on the Notes are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. Β
15
βLeverage Ratioβ means the ratio of:
(a) the outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to
(b) EBITDA for the most recently completed four Fiscal Quarters; provided, that,
(1) if:
(A)
since the beginning of such period the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has Incurred any Debt that remains outstanding or Repaid any Debt, or
(B)
the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Leverage Ratio is an Incurrence or Repayment of Debt,
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Incurrence or Repayment as if such Debt was Incurred or Repaid on the first day of such period, provided that, in the event of any such Repayment of Debt, EBITDA for such period shall be calculated as if the Company or such Subsidiary had not earned any interest income actually earned during such period in respect of the funds used to Repay such Debt, and provided further that the amount of Debt Incurred under revolving credit facilities shall be deemed to be the average daily balance of such Debt during such period (or any shorter period in which such facilities are in effect) and
(2) if
(A) since the beginning of such period, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have made any Asset Sale or an Investment (by merger or otherwise) in any Subsidiary of the Company (or any Person that becomes such a Subsidiary) or an acquisition of Property,
(B) the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Leverage Ratio is such an Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition, or
(C) since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Subsidiary of the Company or was merged with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period) shall have made such an Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition,
EBITDA for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition as if such Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period.
If any Debt bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Debt shall be calculated as if the base interest rate in effect for such floating rate of interest on the date of determination had been the applicable base interest rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Debt if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). Β In the event the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company is sold during the period, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of clause (1) above, to have Repaid during such period the Debt of such Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Debt after such sale.
16
βLienβ means, with respect to any Property of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such Property (including any Capital Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or any Sale and Leaseback Transaction).
βMaterial Adverse Effectβ means a material adverse effect on (a) the property, business, operations, financial condition, liabilities or capitalization of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any such Person to perform its payment obligations or any of its material obligations under any of the Transaction Documents to which such Person is a party, (c) the validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents, (d) the material rights and remedies of the Trustee, under any of the Transaction Documents or (e) the timely payment of any principal of any of the Notes.
βMoody'sβ means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
βNet Available Cashβ from any Asset Sale means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Debt or other obligations relating to the Property that is the subject of such Asset Sale or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:
(a) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all U.S. federal, state, national, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Sale,
(b) all payments made on or in respect of any Debt that is secured by any Property subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such Property, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale,
(c) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale, and
(d) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the Property disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after such Asset Sale.
βNote Obligationsβ means the Notes, the Guarantees and all other obligations of any obligor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees.
17
βNotes Purchase Agreementβ means the Notes purchase agreement dated August 18, 2009 by and among the Company, the Guarantor, the Operating Subsidiary and Citadel Equity Fund Ltd.
βNotesβ is defined in the preamble.
βNoteholderβ or βholderβ as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term βBeneficial Holderβ), means any Person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Registrar's books.
βNotice Dateβ means the date of mailing of the notice pursuant to Section 3.02(b).
βObligationsβ means all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Debt.
βOfficerβ means, with respect to the Company, its Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title βVice Presidentβ) and the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary.
βOfficers' Certificateβ means a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, signed by two Officers of the Company, at least one of whom shall be the principal executive officer or principal financial officer of the Company, and which certificate meets the requirements of Section 15.05 hereof and is delivered to the Trustee.
βOperating Subsidiaryβ means China Security & Surveillance Technology (PRC), Inc., a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the PRC and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company.
βOpinion of Counselβ means a written opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee and which meets the requirements of Section 15.05 hereof.
βOutstandingβ, when used with reference to Notes and subject to the provisions of Section 12.04, means, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, (i) for the redemption of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or (ii) which shall have been otherwise discharged in accordance with Article 11;
(c) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06; and
18
(d) Notes deemed not outstanding pursuant to Article 3.
βPermitted Holdersβ means Mr. Tu Xxx Xxxx, a resident of Hangzhou in the PRC, and his estate, spouse, ancestors and lineal descendants, the legal representatives of any of the foregoing and the trustees of any bona fide trusts of which the foregoing are the sole beneficiaries or the grantors, or any Person of which the foregoing βbeneficially ownsβ (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), individually or collectively with any of the foregoing, at least 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person.
βPermitted Investmentβ means any Investment by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in:
(a)
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries engaged in a Related Business;
(b)
any Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Subsidiary of the Company, provided that the primary business of such Subsidiary is a Related Business;
(c)
any Person if as a result of such Investment such Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its Property to, the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Person's primary business is a Related Business;
(d)
cash and Cash Equivalents;
(e)
receivables owing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or such Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;
(f)
payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses under GAAP and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
(g)
stock, obligations or other securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or in satisfaction of judgments; Β
(h)
any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received in connection with (A) an Asset Sale consummated in compliance with Section 4.12 or (B) any disposition of Property not constituting an Asset Sale;
(i)
Hedging Obligations by the Company or any Guarantor that are otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, and which were entered into for financial management of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or commodity prices and are directly related to transactions entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of its business, and not for speculative purposes; and
19
(j)
other Investments made for Fair Market Value that do not exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from the beginning of the Fiscal Quarter after the Issue Date to the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the date of such Investment (or if the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit).
βPermitted Liensβ means:
(a)
Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;
(b)
Liens securing, or created for the benefit of securing, the Notes and the Guarantees;
(c)
Liens securing Debt of a PRC Subsidiary under Credit Facilities, provided that any such Lien is limited to the Property of such PRC Subsidiary;
(d)
leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including, without limitation, real property and intellectual property rights) which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries;
(e)
Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on the Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision that shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(f)
Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens and other similar Liens, on the Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business and securing payment of obligations that are not more than 60 days past due or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
(g)
Liens on the Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries Incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and Incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice, in each case which are not Incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of Property from vendors and others and which do not in the aggregate impair in any material respect the use of Property in the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(h)
Liens on Property at the time the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acquired such Property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided further, that such Liens shall not have been Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Property was acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
20
(i)
Liens on the Property of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that any such Lien may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a direct Subsidiary of such Person; provided further, that any such Lien was not Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Subsidiary of the Company;
(j)
pledges or deposits by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under workers' compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company, or deposits for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(k)
utility easements, building restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real Property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character;
(l)
Liens existing on the Issue Date not otherwise described in clauses (a) through (k) above;
(m)
Liens on the Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to secure any Refinancing, in whole or in part, of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clause (g), (h) or (i) above; provided, however, that any such Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same Property that secured the original Lien (together with improvements and accessions to such Property), and the aggregate principal amount of Debt (and other obligations thereunder) that is secured by such Lien shall not be increased to an amount greater than the sum of:
(1)
the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, the committed amount, of the Debt (and other obligations thereunder) secured by Liens described under clause (g), (h) or (i) above, as the case may be, at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and
(2)
an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary in connection with such Refinancing; and
(n)
judgment Liens not giving rise to en Event of Default so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired.
Β βPermitted Refinancing Debtβ means any Debt that Refinances any other Debt, including any successive Refinancings, so long as:
(a)
such Debt is in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) not in excess of the sum of:
21
(1) the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Debt being Refinanced, and
(2) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, related to such Refinancing,
(b)
the Average Life of such Debt is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being Refinanced,
(c)
the Stated Maturity of such Debt is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Debt being Refinanced,
(d)
the new Debt shall not be senior in right of payment to the Debt that is being Refinanced, and
(e)
the new Debt, the proceeds of which are used to Refinance the Notes or any Debt that is pari passu with or subordinate to the Notes or a Guarantee, shall only be permitted if (A) in case the Notes are refinanced in part or the Debt to be Refinanced is pari passu with the Notes or a Guarantee, such new Debt, by its terms or by terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Debt is outstanding, is expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in right of payment to, the remaining Notes or such Guarantee, or (B) in case the Debt to be Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Guarantee, such new Debt, by its terms or by the terms of any agreement or instrument to which such new Debt is issued or remains outstanding, is expressly made subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantee at least to the extent that the Debt to be Refinanced is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee;
provided, however, that Permitted Refinancing Debt shall not include the Debt of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, if such Debt is used to Refinance Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary.
βPersonβ means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.
βPRCβ means the People's Republic of China, exclusive of Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.
βPredecessor Noteβ of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same Debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same Debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Note.
βPreferred Stockβ means any Capital Stock of a Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock issued by such Person.
22
βPreferred Stock Dividendsβ means all dividends with respect to Preferred Stock of the Company's Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company or any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. Β The amount of any such dividend shall be equal to the quotient of such dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of such Preferred Stock.
βpro formaβ means, with respect to any calculation made or required to be made pursuant to the terms hereof, a calculation performed in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act, as interpreted in good faith by the Board of Directors after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, or otherwise a calculation made in good faith by the Board of Directors after consultation with the independent certified public accountants of the Company, as the case may be.
βPropertyβ means, with respect to any Person, any interest of such Person in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including intellectual property rights and Capital Stock in, and other securities of, any other Person. Β For purposes of any calculation required pursuant to this Indenture, the value of any Property shall be its Fair Market Value.
βRefinanceβ means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund or Repay (in whole or in part), or to issue other Debt, in exchange or replacement for (in whole or in part), such Debt. Β βRefinancedβ and βRefinancingβ shall have correlative meanings.
βRelated Businessβ means the manufacturing, distributing, installing, servicing and maintaining security, surveillance, fire and alarm products and systems, and other products or systems in the similar nature.
βRepayβ means, in respect of any Debt, to repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, legally defease or otherwise retire such Debt. βRepaymentβ and βRepaidβ shall have correlative meanings. Β For purposes of Section 4.12 and the definition of βLeverage Ratio,β Debt shall be considered to have been Repaid only to the extent the related loan commitment, if any, shall have been permanently reduced in connection therewith.
βRepurchase Amountβ means, with respect to any Note, the aggregate Installment Redemption Amounts then remaining unpaid.
Β βResponsible Officerβ shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
βRestricted Paymentβ means:
(a)
any dividend or distribution (whether made in cash, securities or other Property) declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), except for any dividend or distribution that is made solely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and, if such Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, to the other shareholders of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis or on a basis that results in the receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of dividends or distributions of greater value than it would receive on a pro rata basis) or any dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
23
(b)
the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any such Capital Stock, including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than for or into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);
(c)
the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value, prior to the date for any scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment payment, of any Subordinated Obligation (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligation purchased in anticipation of satisfying a scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment obligation, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition); or
(d)
any Investment (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person.
βRMBβ means the lawful currency of the PRC.
βS&Pβ means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
βSafetechβ means China Safetech Holdings Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands.
βSale and Leaseback Transactionβ means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to Property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or any of its Subsidiaries transfers such Property to another Person and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases it from such Person.
βSecurities Actβ means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect from time to time.
βSenior Debtβ of the Company means:
(a)
all obligations consisting of the principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of:
(1) Debt of the Company for borrowed money, and
(2) Debt of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments permitted under this Indenture for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable;
24
(b)
all Capital Lease Obligations of the Company and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by the Company;
(c)
all obligations of the Company
(1) for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction,
(2) under Hedging Obligations, or
(3) issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property and all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations under any title retention agreement permitted under this Indenture; and
(d)
all obligations of other Persons of the type referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c) for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as guarantor;
Β provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not include:
(A)
Debt of the Company that is by its terms subordinate in right of payment to the Notes, including any Subordinated Obligations;
(B)
any Debt Incurred in violation of the provisions of this Indenture;
(C)
accounts payable or any other obligations of the Company to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of materials or services (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);
(D)
any liability for U.S. federal, state, national, provincial, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;
(E)
any obligation of the Company to any of its Subsidiaries; or
(F)
any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock of the Company. Β
To the extent that any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of the Company as proceeds of security or enforcement or any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to a trustee, receiver or other similar party under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such trustee, receiver or other similar party, the Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
βSenior Debtβ of any Guarantor has a correlative meaning.
Β βSignificant Subsidiaryβ means any Subsidiary that would be a βsignificant subsidiaryβ of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission.
25
βStated Maturityβ means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Debt (including, without limitation, a scheduled repayment or a scheduled sinking fund payment), the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Debt, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment hereof.
Β βSubordinated Obligationβ means any Debt of the Company or any Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.
βSubsidiary,β with respect to any Person, means (i) any corporation of which the outstanding Capital Stock having a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors under ordinary circumstances shall at the time be owned, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, by such Person or (ii) any other Person of which a majority of the voting interest under ordinary circumstances is at the time, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, owned by such Person.
βSurviving Personβ means the surviving Person formed by a merger, consolidation or amalgamation and, for purposes of Section 5.01, a Person to whom all or substantially all of the Property of the Company or a Guarantor is sold, transferred, assigned, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed.
βTax Original Issue Discountβ means the amount of ordinary interest income on a Note that must be accrued as original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes.
βTermination of Tradingβ will be deemed to have occurred if, (i) the Common Stock is neither listed for trading on a United States national securities exchange, listed for trading on a United States national or regional securities exchange nor approved for trading on any of the NASDAQ's Capital Market, Global Market, Global Select Market or the OTC Bulletin Board, (ii) trading in the Common Stock on any such exchange or market has been suspended for thirty or more consecutive Trading Days, or (iii) a transaction or event (whether by means of an exchange offer, liquidation, tender offer, consolidation, merger, combination, reclassification, recapitalization or otherwise) occurs in connection with which all or substantially all of the Common Stock is exchanged for, converted into, or acquired for, consideration which is not all or substantially all common stock, depositary receipts, ordinary shares or other certificates representing common equity interests that are (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be) listed on a United States national securities exchange or approved (or, upon consummation of or immediately following such transaction or event, will be approved) for quotation on the NASDAQ Capital Market, NASDAQ Global Market, NASDAQ Global Select Market, the OTC Bulletin Board or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of quotations of securities prices.
βTranche A Indentureβ means the Indenture dated as of even date between the Company and the Trustee, governing the terms and conditions of the Tranche A Notes. Β
26
βTranche A Notesβ means the Tranche A Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes issued by the Company as of even date in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $50,000,000.
βTransaction Documentsβ means this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, Notes Purchase Agreement, the Amended Investor Rights Agreement, certain Non-Competition Covenant and Agreement dated February 16, 2007 by and between Citadel Equity Fund Ltd. and Mr. Tu Xxx Xxxx, or any of them as the context may so require.
βTrading Dayβ shall mean (x) if the applicable security is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market, a day on which trades may be made thereon, (y) if the applicable security is listed or admitted for trading on the American Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or another United States national securities exchange, a day on which such securities exchange is open for business, or (z) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted for trading or quoted, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
βTrading Marketβ means the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NASDAQ Capital Market, the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the OTC Bulletin Board.
βTrusteeβ means the Person named as the βTrusteeβ in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter βTrusteeβ shall mean such successor Trustee.
βU.S. Government Securitiesβ means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America are pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option.
βVoting Stockβ of any Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
27
βWholly Owned Subsidiaryβ means, at any time, a Subsidiary all the Voting Stock of which (except directors' qualifying shares) is at such time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company and its other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
Section 1.02.Β Β Other Definitions.
Β |
Defined in |
Term |
Section |
"Affiliate Transaction" |
4.14 |
"Agent Members" |
2.02(c) |
"Allocable Excess Proceeds" |
4.12 |
"Asset Sale Offer" |
4.12 |
"Authentication Order" |
2.04 |
"Benefited Party" |
9.01 |
"Change of Control Offer" |
4.17 |
"Event of Default" |
6.01 |
"Excess Proceeds" |
4.12 |
"Future Guarantor" |
9.03 |
"Installment Redemption Amount" |
3.01(a) |
"Installment Redemption Date" |
3.01(a) |
"Offer Amount" |
3.02(b) |
"Offer Period" |
3.02(c) |
"Offer to Purchase" |
3.02(a) |
"Paying Agent" |
4.02 |
"Purchase Date" |
3.02(c) |
"Purchase Price" |
3.02(b) |
"Redemption Date" |
3.01 |
"Redemption Amount" |
3.01 |
"Registrar" |
4.02 |
"Security Register" |
4.02 |
"Termination of Trading Offer" |
4.23 |
"Tranche A Voluntary Redemption" |
3.01(b) |
"Tranche B Voluntary Redemption" |
3.01(b) |
"Voluntary Redemption" |
3.01(b) |
"Voluntary Redemption Notice" |
3.01(b) |
Β
28
Β
Section 1.03.Β Β Rules of Construction.
(a)
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(i)
a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(ii)
an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii)
βorβ is not exclusive;
(iv)
words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(v)
all references in this instrument to βArticles,β βSectionsβ and other subdivisions are to the designated Articles, Sections and subdivisions of this instrument as originally executed;
(vi)
the words βherein,β βhereofβ and βhereunderβ and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
(vii)
βincludingβ means βincluding without limitation;β
(viii)
provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(ix)
β$β means the lawful currency of the United States of America; and
(x)
references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time thereunder.
29
ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES
Section 2.01.Β Β Designation Amount and Issue of Notes. Β
The Notes shall be designated as βTranche B Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notesβ. Β Notes not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $84,000,000 (except pursuant to Sections 2.05 and 2.06 hereof) upon the execution of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Notes to or upon the written order of the Company, signed by its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title βVice Presidentβ), the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, without any further action by the Company hereunder. Β
Section 2.02.Β Β Form of Notes. Β
(a)
The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A. Β The terms and provisions contained in the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
(b)
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends, endorsements or changes as the officers executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required by the Custodian, the Depositary or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed, or to conform to usage, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
(c)
So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, or unless otherwise required by law, or otherwise contemplated by Section 2.05(a), all of the Notes will be represented by one or more Notes in global form registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. Β The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in any such Global Note shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with this Indenture and the applicable procedures of the Depositary. Β Except as provided in Section 2.05(a), beneficial owners of a Global Note shall not be entitled to have certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and will not be considered holders of such Global Note. Β The Company has initially appointed DTC as the Depositary. Each Global Note initially shall be registered in the name of a nominee for the Depositary and be delivered to the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee. Interests in the Global Note may be held by any member of, or participants in, the Depositary, including Euroclear and Clearstream (collectively, the βAgent Membersβ). Agent Members shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, the Paying Agent or any agent of any of them as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or any agent of any of them, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Global Note. Β The Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
30
(d)
Any Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect redemptions, repurchases, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Β Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Β Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and Interest on any Global Note shall be made to the holder of such Note.
(e)
This Section 2.02(e) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary. Β Participants shall have no rights under this Indenture or any Global Note with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary, and the Depositary shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Β Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the Applicable Procedures or the operation of customary practices of the Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
The Company shall exchange Global Notes for Definitive Notes if: (1) at any time DTC or any alternative clearing agency on behalf of which the Notes evidenced by the Global Note may be held is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than reason of holidays, statutory or otherwise) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so, and, in either case, the Company shall not have appointed a successor Depositary within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, or (2) upon written request of a holder or the Trustee if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Β
Upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clauses (1) or (2) of the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall execute, and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, Definitive Notes, in authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes.
31
Upon the exchange of a Global Note for Definitive Notes, such Global Note shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee. Β Definitive Notes issued in exchange for a Global Note pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its Participants or its Applicable Procedures, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Company or the Trustee in writing. Β The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Definitive Notes to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Definitive Notes are so registered or to the Depositary.
Section 2.03.Β Β Date and Denomination of NotesΒ
The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. Β The Notes shall not bear any interest except for Default Interest, if any.
Default Interest, if any, shall be payable at the office of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes in the City of New York, which shall initially be an office or agency of the Trustee. Β The Company shall pay Default Interest (i) on any Notes in certificated form by (x) check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register (or upon written notice, by wire transfer in immediately available funds, if such Person is entitled to Default Interest on aggregate principal in excess of $1 million) or (y) by transfer to an account maintained by such person in the City of New York or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
Section 2.04.Β Β Execution of Notes. Β
The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Vice President (whether or not designated by a number or numbers or word or words added before or after the title βVice Presidentβ) and attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its Secretary or any of its Assistant Secretaries or its Treasurer or any of its Assistant Treasurers (which may be printed, engraved or otherwise reproduced thereon, by facsimile or otherwise). Β Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an βAuthentication Orderβ), manually executed by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 15.10), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Β Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such officer of the Company, and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.
32
Section 2.05.Β Β Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer.
(a)
As provided herein, interests in a Global Note will be exchanged, upon 45 days' notice by a holder of an interest in such Global Note for Definitive Notes. Each Global Note shall be deposited with the Depositary, which shall hold such Global Note in safe custody for the account of DTC and instruct DTC or both of them, as the case may be, to credit the principal amounts of the Notes represented by such Global Note to the holder's distribution account with DTC. Each relevant Global Note shall be exchangeable in whole for an interest, equal to the principal amount of such Global Note being exchanged, for Definitive Notes in the same principal amount, upon request of DTC to the Registrar, but only upon delivery by DTC, acting on behalf of the beneficial owners of such interests, to the Registrar at its principal office in the City of New York, of certificates substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto. The delivery to the Registrar of any certificate in the form referred to above may be relied upon by the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar as conclusive evidence that related certificates have been delivered to DTC as contemplated by the terms of this Section.
(b)
In accordance with the terms of a Global Note and this Indenture, the Registrar shall deliver at the cost of the Company, upon not less than 45 days' notice to the Registrar by DTC, the relevant Definitive Notes in exchange for interests in such Global Note. For this purpose, the Registrar is authorized and it shall (A) authenticate each such Definitive Note and (B) deliver each such Definitive Note to or to the order of DTC, in exchange for interests in such Global Note. The Registrar shall promptly notify the Company upon receipt of a request for issue of Definitive Notes the aggregate principal amount of the relevant Global Note to be exchanged in connection therewith. The Company undertakes to deliver to, or to the order of, the Registrar sufficient numbers of duly executed Definitive Notes to enable the Registrar to comply with its obligations under this Section 2.05(b). Such exchange shall be made free of charge to the holder and the beneficial owners of the relevant Global Note and to the holders of the Definitive Notes issued in exchange as provided above, except that a Person receiving Definitive Notes must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like in the event that such Person does not receive such Definitive Notes in person at the offices of a Registrar. Notwithstanding the above, interests in a Global Note shall be exchangeable in whole (but not in part) at the cost of the Company for Definitive Notes under the conditions described in Section 2.02(e).
(c)
Upon any exchange of an interest in a Global Note for Definitive Notes, the relevant Global Note shall be endorsed by the Trustee or the Registrar to reflect the reduction of its principal amount by the aggregate principal amount so exchanged. Until exchanged in full, the holder of any interest in any Global Note shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder. Once exchanged in full, a Global Note shall be canceled and disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures and a certificate of disposition will be sent to the Company.
33
(d)
The Trustee or the Registrar shall cause all Global Notes and Definitive Notes delivered to it and held by it hereunder to be maintained in safe custody in accordance with this Section.
(e)
The Security Register shall be in written form in the English language and shall include a record of the certificate number of each Note that has been issued, and shall show the amount of such Notes, the date of issue, all subsequent transfers and changes in ownership in respect thereof and the names, tax identifying numbers (if relevant to a specific holder), addresses of the holders of the Notes and any payment instructions with respect thereto (if different from a holder's registered address).
(f)
The Registrar shall at all reasonable times during office hours make the Security Register available to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Company and the holders of such Notes or any person authorized by the Company in writing for inspection and for taking of copies thereof or extracts therefrom, and at the expense of the Company, the Registrar shall deliver to such persons all lists of holders of such Notes, their addresses, amounts of such holdings and other details as they may request.
(g)
The Registrar shall handle all requests for the registration of transfer, or exchange or repurchase, of Notes and receive certificates for the Notes deposited with the transfer agent for transfer, or exchange, or repurchase, and in doing so, shall ensure that every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, or exchange or repurchase, (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer (in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar) duly executed by the holder thereof or by such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
(h)
Neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of any Notes or portions thereof tendered for purchase pursuant to Section 3.02 (and not withdrawn).
(i)
Until the expiration of the holding period applicable to sales thereof under Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), the Notes shall not be transferred and any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend set forth in Exhibit A, unless such Note has been sold pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and which continues to be effective at the time of such transfer), pursuant to Rule 144 or other available exemptions from registration under the Securities Act or any similar provision then in force, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with written notice thereof to the Trustee.
34
(j)
The Trustee and the Registrar shall be entitled to treat a telephone, telex or facsimile communication from a person purporting to be (and who the Trustee or the Registrar believe in good faith to be) the authorized representative of the Company, named in a list furnished to the Trustee and the Registrar from time to time, as sufficient instructions and authority of the Company for the Trustee and the Registrar to act in accordance with this Section.
(k)
Title to the Notes shall pass by delivery. However, title to Notes issued in the form of Global Notes held through DTC shall be transferable only in accordance with the rules and procedures of DTC, as appropriate.
Section 2.06.Β Β Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. Β
In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, a new Note, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. Β In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Following receipt by the Trustee or such authenticating agent, as the case may be, of satisfactory security or indemnity and evidence, as described in the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and make available for delivery such Note. Β Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, may require the payment by the holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. Β In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption or has been tendered for repurchase upon a Termination of Trading (and not withdrawn) shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless for any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or in connection with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any paying agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. Β If, after the delivery of such replacement Note, a protected purchaser of the original Note in lieu of which such replacement Note was issued presents for payment or registration of such original Note, the Trustee shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note from the Person to whom it was delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a protected purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company, the Trustee and any authenticating agent in connection therewith.
35
Section 2.07.Β Β Temporary Notes. Β
Pending the preparation of Notes in certificated form, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon the written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Β Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Notes in certificated form, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Β Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Notes in certificated form. Β Without unreasonable delay, the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Notes in certificated form and thereupon any or all temporary Notes may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Notes in certificated form. Β Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Β Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Notes in certificated form authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.08.Β Β Cancellation of Notes. Β
All Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, repurchase, exchange or registration of transfer shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent or any Registrar, be surrendered to the Trustee and promptly canceled by it, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be promptly canceled by it, and no Notes shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. Β The Trustee shall dispose of such canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. Β If the Company shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption, repurchase or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.09.Β Β Defaulted Interest. Β
If the Company defaults in a payment of any Installment Redemption Amount on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such defaulted interest to be paid.
36
Section 2.10.Β Β CUSIP Numbers. Β
The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or repurchases as a convenience to Noteholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption or a repurchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or repurchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. Β The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF NOTES
Section 3.01.Β Β Redemption . Β
(a)
Redemption in Installments. Β Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Company shall redeem the Notes in installments on the dates (each an βInstallment Redemption Dateβ) and, for each US$100,000 principal amount of the Notes, in the amounts (each an βInstallment Redemption Amountβ) set forth below:
Installment Redemption Date |
Installment Redemption Amount (US$), for each US$100,000 principal amount of the Notes |
March 2, 2010
|
US$ Β 23,000.00 |
September 2, 2010
|
$ Β 23,000.00 |
March 2, 2011
|
$ Β 23,000.00 |
September 2, 2011
|
$ Β 23,000.00 |
March 2, 2012
|
$Β 4,000.00 |
September 2, 2012
|
$ Β 4,000.00 |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Total: |
US$100,000.00 |
Β
(b)
Voluntary Redemption. Β At any time prior to the Final Redemption Date, the Company may, if the Company gives the Trustee and each holder at such holder's address appearing in the Security Register not less than five (5) Business Days' prior written notice (the βVoluntary Redemption Noticeβ), redeem the Notes (in whole or in part) without any premium or penalty, except for Default Interest, if any (such redemption of the Notes being a βTranche B Voluntary Redemptionβ), provided that:
37
(i)
the Company shall redeem the Tranche A Notes (in whole or in part) on the same date subject to any equivalent provision under the Tranche A Notes and the Tranche A Indenture (such redemption of the Tranche A Notes being a βTranche A Voluntary Redemptionβ and collectively with the Tranche B Voluntary Redemption, a βVoluntary Redemptionβ) after giving equivalent notice therefor in relation the Tranche A Notes pursuant to applicable provisions under the Tranche A Notes and the Tranche A Indenture;
(ii)
the aggregate amount of any Voluntary Redemption shall be allocated between the Notes and the Tranche A Notes on a prorated basis according to the respective amounts of the Notes and the Tranche A Notes outstanding immediately prior such Voluntary Redemption after taking into account any and all prior redemptions;
(iii)
subject to subclause (iv) below, the aggregate amount of any Tranche B Voluntary Redemption shall be allocated among the Notes on a prorated basis according to the respective amounts of each Note outstanding immediately prior such Tranche B Voluntary Redemption after taking into account any and all prior redemptions of the Notes, subject to rounding to the nearest $1,000;
(iv)
with respect to each Note, the aggregate amount of any Tranche B Voluntary Redemption shall be applied (A) first, towards reducing the Installment Redemption Amount of such Note due on September 2, 2012, until such Installment Redemption Amount is paid in full, (B) second, towards reducing the Installment Redemption Amount of such Note due on March 2, 2012, until such Installment Redemption Amount is paid in full, and (C) third, towards reducing the Installment Redemption Amounts of such Note falling on or after such Tranche B Voluntary Redemption in chronological order; and
(v)
the amount of any Tranche A Voluntary Redemption or Tranche B Voluntary Redemption shall be at least $100,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Β
The Voluntary Redemption Notice shall be irrevocable and obligate the Company to make such redemption on such date as specified in the Voluntary Redemption Notice.
Section 3.02.Β Β Offer to Purchase.
(a)
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, a Change of Control Offer or a Termination of Trading Offer (each of the foregoing, an βOffer to Purchaseβ), respectively, it shall follow the procedures specified below.
(b)
The Company shall commence the Offer to Purchase by sending, by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each holder at such holder's address appearing in the Security Register, a notice the terms of which shall govern the Offer to Purchase stating:
(i)
that the Offer to Purchase is being made pursuant to this Section and Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, as the case may be, and, in the case of a Change of Control Offer or Termination of Trading Offer, that such event has occurred, the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such event and that a Change of Control Offer or Termination of Trading Offer is being made pursuant to Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, respectively;
38
(ii)
the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, as the case may be (the βOffer Amountβ), the purchase price set forth in Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, as applicable (the βPurchase Priceβ), the Offer Period and the Purchase Date (each as defined below);
(iii)
except as provided in clause (ix), that all Notes timely tendered and not withdrawn shall be accepted for payment;
(iv)
that holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000 only;
(v)
that holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Offer to Purchase shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled βPurchase Noticeβ on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice before the close of business on the third Business Day before the Purchase Date;
(vi)
that holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note (or portions thereof) the holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(vii)
that, in the case of an Asset Sale Offer, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased);
(viii)
that holders whose Notes were purchased in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer); and
(ix)
any other procedures the holders must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment and the procedures that holders must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender Notes (or portions thereof) for payment.
(c)
The Offer to Purchase shall remain open for a period of at least 30 days but no more than 60 days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the βOffer Periodβ). Β No later than five (5) Business Days (and in any event no later than the 60th day following any Change of Control or Termination of Trading) after the termination of the Offer Period (the βPurchase Dateβ), the Company shall purchase the Offer Amount or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Offer to Purchase. Β Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. Β The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Offer to Purchase on the Purchase Date.
39
(d)
On or prior to the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:
(i)
accept for payment (on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary in connection with an Asset Sale Offer) from each tendering holder, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered; and
(ii)
surrender to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted to be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance Section 2.08 hereof, together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company and that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section. Β
(e)
Upon receipt of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.02(d)(i), the Company shall promptly, and in any event within (1) Business Day after the Purchase Date, deliver to each tendering holder the Purchase Price. In the event that any portion of the Notes surrendered is not purchased by the Company, the Company shall promptly execute and issue a new Note in a principal amount equal to such unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided, however, that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Β Β Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the holder thereof.
(f)
The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the Offer to Purchase. Β To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, as applicable, this Section or other provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 4.12, Section 4.17 or Section 4.23, as applicable, this Section or such other provision by virtue of such compliance.
ARTICLE 4
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
Section 4.01.Β Β Payment of Principal. Β
The Company covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal (including each Installment Redemption Amount, the purchase price upon an Offer to Purchase or the repurchase price upon repurchase, in each case pursuant to Article 3) and premium, if any, of each of the Notes at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Notes.
The Company shall pay, from time to time on demand, interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) accrued on overdue principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount not paid on the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due) and premium, if any, at a rate that is 5% per annum.
40
Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Section 4.02.Β Β Maintenance of Office or Agency. Β
The Company will maintain an office or agency in the City of New York, where the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange (βRegistrarβ) or for presentation for payment, redemption or repurchase (βPaying Agentβ) and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register (the βSecurity Registerβ) of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. Β If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
The Company may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. Β The Company will give prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby initially designates the Trustee as paying agent, Registrar and Custodian and each of the Corporate Trust Office and the office of agency of the Trustee in City of New York, shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Company for each of the aforesaid purposes.
So long as the Trustee is the Registrar, the Trustee agrees to mail, or cause to be mailed, the notices set forth in Section 7.08(a) and the third paragraph of Section 7.09. Β If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section, the Trustee shall mail such notices only to the Company and the holders of Notes it can identify from its records.
Section 4.03.Β Β Provisions as to Paying Agent. Β
(a)
If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a paying agent, the Company will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:
(i)
that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or Interest on the Notes (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes;
41
(ii)
that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor on the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of or Interest on the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and
(iii)
that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
(b)
The Company shall, on the Business Day prior to each due date of the principal or Default Interest, if any, on the Notes, deposit with the paying agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal or Default Interest, if any, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action; provided that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the paying agent by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.
(c)
If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on the Business Day prior to each due date of the principal of or Interest on the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal or Interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor under the Notes) to make any payment of the principal of or Interest on the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.
(d)
Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or any paying agent hereunder as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
(e)
Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to Sections 11.03 and 11.04.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other paying agents (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other paying agents.
Section 4.04.Β Β Existence. Β
Subject to Article 5, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.
Section 4.05.Β Β Maintenance of Properties. Β
The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Significant Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.
42
Section 4.06.Β Β Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. Β
The Company will pay or discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same may become delinquent, (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, (ii) all claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien or charge upon the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and (iii) all stamp taxes and other duties, if any, which may be imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein in connection with the issuance, transfer, exchange, redemption or repurchase of any Notes or with respect to this Indenture; provided that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (A) if the failure to do so will not, in the aggregate, have a material adverse impact on the Company, or (B) if the amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Section 4.07.Β Β Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. Β
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or Default Interest, if any, on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 4.08.Β Β Payments for Consent.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to or for the benefit of any holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all holders that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
43
Section 4.09.Β Β Incurrence of Additional Debt; Financial Covenants.
(a)
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Debt unless, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, no Default or Event of Default would occur as a consequence of such Incurrence or be continuing following such Incurrence.
(b)
The Company shall maintain:
(i)
a Leverage Ratio, as determined as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, for the four Fiscal Quarters ending on such day, not exceeding 4.50 to 1.00.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section,
(i)
the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, Incur any Debt pursuant to this covenant if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Debt shall be subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Debt;
(ii)
the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to Incur any Debt pursuant to this covenant if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Debt of the Company or any Guarantor; and
(iii)
accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Debt, will be deemed not to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section.
Section 4.10.Β Β Restricted Payments.
The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment if at the time of, and after giving effect to, such proposed Restricted Payment,
(a)
a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or
(b)
the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt in compliance with Section 4.09, or
(c)
the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made since the Issue Date (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if made other than in cash, to be based upon Fair Market Value at the time of such Restricted Payment) would exceed an amount equal to the sum of:
(1)
10% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from the beginning of the Fiscal Quarter after the Issue Date to the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment (or if the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus
44
(2)
100% of the Capital Stock Sale Proceeds, plus
(3)
the sum of:
(A)
the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company or any Guarantor from the issuance or sale after the Issue Date of convertible or exchangeable Debt that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and
(B)
the aggregate amount by which Debt (other than Subordinated Obligations) of the Company or any Guarantor is reduced on the Company's consolidated balance sheet on or after the Issue Date upon the conversion or exchange of any Debt issued or sold on or prior to the Issue Date that is convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,
excluding, in the case of clause (A) or (B):
(x)
any such Debt issued or sold to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees, and
(y)
the aggregate amount of any cash or other Property distributed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon any such conversion or exchange, plus
(4)
an amount equal to the net reduction in Investments in any Person other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of Property, in each case to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from such Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company may:
(a)
pay dividends on its Capital Stock within 60 days of the declaration thereof if, on the declaration date, such dividends could have been paid in compliance with the Indenture; provided, however, that at the time of such payment of such dividend, no other Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided further, however, that such dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
45
(b)
purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for value Capital Stock of the Company or Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees); provided, however, that
(1)
such purchase, repurchase, redemption, legal defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and
(2)
the Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from such exchange or sale shall be excluded from the calculation pursuant to clause (c)(2) above; and
(c)
purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Permitted Refinancing Debt; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, legal defeasance, acquisition or retirement shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
Section 4.11.Β Β Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur or suffer to exist, any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of its Property (including Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless it has made or will make effective provision whereby the Notes or the applicable Guarantee will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with (or, if such other Debt constitutes Subordinated Debt, prior to) all other Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries secured by such Lien for so long as such other Debt is secured by such Lien.
Section 4.12.Β Β Asset Sales.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:
(a)
the Company or such Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject to such Asset Sale;
(b)
at least 50% of the consideration paid to the Company or such Subsidiary in connection with such Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than contingent liabilities or liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee) as a result of which the Company and its Subsidiaries are no longer obligated with respect to such liabilities; and
46
(c)
the Company delivers an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee certifying that such Asset Sale complies with the foregoing clauses (a) and (b).
The Net Available Cash (or any portion thereof) from Asset Sales may be applied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent the Company or such Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Debt) (i) to Repay Senior Debt of the Company or any Guarantor or Debt of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor (excluding, in any such case, any Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), or (ii) to reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by any Subsidiary of the Company with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company).
Any Net Available Cash from an Asset Sale not applied in accordance with the preceding paragraph within 180 days from the date of the receipt of such Net Available Cash shall constitute βExcess Proceedsβ. Β
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million (taking into account income earned on such Excess Proceeds, if any), the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase (the βAsset Sale Offerβ) the Notes, which offer shall be in the amount of the Allocable Excess Proceeds (rounded to the nearest $1,000), on a pro rata basis according to principal amount, at the Repurchase Amount, in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in Section 3.02. Β To the extent that any portion of the amount of Net Available Cash remains after compliance with the preceding sentence and provided that all holders of Notes have been given the opportunity to tender their Notes for repurchase in accordance with Section 3.02, the Company or such Subsidiary may use such remaining amount first to Repay the Credit Facilities or any other Senior Debt of the Company or any Guarantor or Debt of any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor (excluding, in any such case, any Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), and only thereafter, for any purpose permitted by this Indenture, and the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.
The term βAllocable Excess Proceedsβ shall mean the product of:
(a)
the Excess Proceeds and
(b)
a fraction,
(1)
the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer, and
(2)
the denominator of which is the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer and the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of other Debt of the Company outstanding on the date of the Asset Sale Offer that is pari passu in right of payment with the Notes and subject to terms and conditions in respect of Asset Sales similar in all material respects to this Section and requiring the Company to make an offer to repurchase such Debt at substantially the same time as the Asset Sale Offer.
Section 4.13.Β Β Restrictions on Distributions from Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any consensual restriction on the right of any of its Subsidiaries to:
47
(a)
pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock owned by, or pay any Debt or other obligation owed, to, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company,
(b)
make any loans or advances to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, or
(c)
transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company. Β
The foregoing limitations will not apply:
(1)
with respect to clauses (a), (b) and (c), to restrictions:
(A)
in effect on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, restrictions pursuant to the Notes and this Indenture),
(B)
relating to Debt of any Subsidiary of the Company and existing at the time it became a Subsidiary of the Company if such restriction was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of the Company or was acquired by the Company, or
(C)
that result from the Refinancing of Debt Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (1)(A) or (B) above or in clause (2)(A) or (B) below, provided such restrictions are not less favorable to the holders of Notes than those under the agreement evidencing the Debt so Refinanced, and
(2)
with respect to clause (c) only, to restrictions:
(A)
relating to Debt that is permitted to be Incurred and secured without also securing the Notes or the applicable Guarantee in compliance with Section 4.09 and Section 4.11 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the Property securing such Debt,
(B)
encumbering Property at the time such Property was acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as such restrictions relate solely to the Property so acquired and were not created in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition,
(C)
resulting from customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of leases or customary provisions in other agreements that restrict assignment of such agreements or rights thereunder, or
48
(D)
customary restrictions contained in asset sale agreements limiting the transfer of such Property pending the closing of such sale.
Section 4.14.Β Β Affiliate Transactions.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of any Property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (an βAffiliate Transactionβ), unless:
(a)
the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are:
(1)
set forth in writing,
(2)
in the best interest of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and
(3)
no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company,
(b)
if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $1.0 million, the Board of Directors (including a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors) approves such Affiliate Transaction and, in its good faith judgment, believes that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clauses (a)(2) and (3) of this paragraph as evidenced by a Board Resolution promptly delivered to the Trustee, and
(c)
if such Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $5.0 million, the Company obtains a written opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor to the effect that the consideration to be paid or received in connection with such Affiliate Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company and its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may enter into or suffer to exist the following:
(a)
any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries or between two or more of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, provided that no more than 5% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of any such Subsidiary is owned by an Affiliate of the Company (other than any Subsidiary of the Company);
49
(b)
any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.10 or any Permitted Investment;
(c)
the payment of compensation (including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans) for the personal services of officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the Board of Directors in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof and deemed the services theretofore or thereafter to be performed for such compensation to be fair consideration therefor; and
(d)
loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, provided that such loans and advances do not exceed $300,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall comply in all material respects with all provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith that would be applicable to an issuer with debt securities registered under the Securities Act relating to such loans and advances.
Section 4.15.Β Β Issuance or Sale of Capital Stock of Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not:
(a)
sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any shares of Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries, or
(b)
permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, directly or indirectly, issue or sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of its Capital Stock,
other than, in the case of either (a) or (b):
(1)
directors' qualifying shares,
(2)
to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, or
(3)
a disposition of 100% of the shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary; provided, however, that, in the case of this clause (3),
(A)
such disposition is effected in compliance with Section 4.12, and
(B)
upon consummation of such disposition and execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, such Subsidiary shall be released from any Guarantee previously made by such Subsidiary.
(4)
a disposition of shares of Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that is not a Significant Subsidiary; provided, however, that, in the case of this clause (4),
50
(A)
25% of the proceeds raised by the Company or any of its Subsidiary from such disposition shall be used to repay any outstanding principal amount of the Notes within 15 Business Days following the receipt thereof, and
(B)
The remaining 75% of such proceeds shall be effected in compliance with Section 4.12.
Section 4.16.Β Β Maintenance of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.
The Company shall not, on the Issue Date (after giving effect to the issuance of the Notes) or at the end of any Fiscal Quarter thereafter, permit its Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than the Consolidated Tangible Net Worth Threshold. The βConsolidated Tangible Net Worth Thresholdβ shall be equal to $50.0 million from the Issue Date until the first annual anniversary thereof, and at each annual anniversary of the Issue Date shall increase by an amount equal to $5.0 million.
Section 4.17.Β Β Repurchase at the Option of Holders Following a Change of Control.
(a)
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall, within 7 days thereafter notify the Trustee and the holders of such Change of Control, and within 30 days of a Change of Control, make an offer (the βChange of Control Offerβ) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3.02. Β Each holder shall have the right to accept such offer and require the Company to repurchase all or any portion (equal to $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder's Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer at a purchase price, in cash equal to the Repurchase Amount.
(b)
The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
Section 4.18.Β Β Future Guarantors.
(a)
When permitted under the applicable laws (including the laws of the PRC) and subject to obtaining all necessary Governmental Approvals, the Operating Subsidiary hereby agrees, and each of the Company and Safetech, hereby agrees, jointly and severally, to cause each Operating Subsidiary, to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantee to the fullest extent permitted under applicable laws (including the laws of the PRC).
(b)
The Company shall cause each Person that becomes a Significant Subsidiary following the Issue Date to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantee at the time such Person becomes a Significant Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of a Person that becomes a Significant Subsidiary incorporated in the PRC, the Company shall cause such Significant Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Trustee a Guarantee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws (including the laws of the PRC) and subject to obtaining all necessary Governmental Approval.
51
Section 4.19.Β Β Business Activities.
The Company shall not, and the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, engage in any business other than a Related Business.
Section 4.20.Β Β Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Property unless:
(a)
the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled to:
(1)
Incur Debt in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction in compliance with Section 4.09 and
(2)
create a Lien on such Property securing such Attributable Debt without also securing the Notes or the applicable Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.11 and
(b)
such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is effected in compliance with Section 4.12.
Section 4.21.Β Β [Reserved].
Section 4.22.Β Β Maintenance of Insurance.
The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance policies covering such risks, in such amounts and with such terms as are normally carried by similar companies engaged in a similar business to the Related Business in the PRC.
Section 4.23.Β Β Repurchase Upon Termination of Trading.
Upon the occurrence of a Termination of Trading, the Company shall, within 7 days thereafter notify the Trustee and the holders of such Termination of Trading, and within 30 days of a Termination of Trading, make an offer (the βTermination of Trading Offerβ) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3.02. Each holder shall have the right to accept such offer and require the Company to repurchase all or any portion (equal to $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of such holder's Notes pursuant to the Termination of Trading Offer at a purchase price, in cash equal to the Repurchase Amount.
Section 4.24.Β Β Government Approvals and Licenses; Compliance with Law.
The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (a) obtain and maintain in full force and effect all Governmental Approvals, authorizations, consents, permits, concessions and licenses as are necessary to engage in a Related Business, (b) preserve and maintain good and valid title to its properties and assets (including land-use rights) free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens and (c) comply with all laws, regulations, orders, judgments and decrees of any governmental body, except to the extent that failure so to obtain, maintain, preserve and comply would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (1) the business, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (2) the ability of the Company or any Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Notes, the relevant Guarantee of the Notes or this Indenture.
52
Section 4.25.Β [Resrved].
Section 4.26.Β Β Notes to Rank Senior.
The Notes and all other obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Indenture are and at all times shall remain direct and unsecured obligations of the Company and each Guarantor ranking pari passu in right and priority of payment, without any preference or priority among themselves and at least equally with all other present and future unsecured Indebtedness (actual or contingent) of the Company and each Guarantor (except as otherwise required by law).
Section 4.27.Β Β Compliance Certificate. Β
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a certificate signed by either the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and the status thereof of which the signer may have knowledge.
The Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying with particularity such Default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Any notice required to be given under this Section shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 4.28.Β Β Calculation of Original Issue Discount. Β
The Company shall file with the Trustee, solely for purposes of making such information available to the holders upon request, promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of Tax Original Issue Discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on outstanding Notes as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such Tax Original Issue Discount as may then be required under the Code, or the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
53
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01.Β Β Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.
(a)
The Company shall not merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person (other than a merger of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary into the Company) or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless: Β
(i)
the Company shall be the Surviving Person in such merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) formed by such merger, consolidation or amalgamation or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii)
the Surviving Person (if other than the Company) expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and any Default Interest on, all the Notes, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company;
(iii)
in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of the Company, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person or a group of related persons;
(iv)
immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iv) and clauses (v) and (vi) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person or any Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(v)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, the Surviving Person shall have a Consolidated Net Worth in an amount which is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions;
(vi)
the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction or series of transactions and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied; and
54
(vii)
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such transaction and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such transaction had not occurred.
The foregoing provisions (other than clause (iv)) shall not apply to any transaction or series of transactions which constitute an Asset Sale if the Company has complied with Section 4.12.
(b)
The Company shall not permit any Guarantor to merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person (other than a merger of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary into the Company or such Guarantor) or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of transactions unless:
(i)
the Surviving Person (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes, to the extent permitted by applicable laws, by supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such Surviving Person, the due and punctual performance and observance of all the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee;
(ii)
in the case of a sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all the Property of such Guarantor, such Property shall have been transferred as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person;
(iii)
immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause (iii) and clauses (iv) and (v) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction or series of transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person, the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iv)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, the Company shall have a Consolidated Net Worth in an amount which is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions;
(v)
the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such transaction or series of transactions and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or series of transactions have been satisfied; and
(vi)
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such transaction and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such transaction had not occurred.
55
The foregoing provisions (other than clause (iii)) shall not apply to any transaction or series of transactions which constitute an Asset Sale if the Company has complied with Section 4.12.
Section 5.02.Β Β Successor Corporation Substituted.
The Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor entity shall not be released from any of the obligations or covenants under this Indenture, including with respect to the payment of the Notes and obligations under the Guarantee, as the case may be, in the case of:
(a)
a sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition (unless such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, taken as a whole or, in the case of a Guarantor, such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, or such portion of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company), or
(b)
a lease.
ARTICLE 6
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND NOTEHOLDERS ON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.01.Β Β Events of Default. Β
In case one or more of the following Events of Default (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) shall have occurred and be continuing:
(a)
default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, on, any of the Notes as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity or in connection with any redemption, repurchase or otherwise, in each case pursuant to Article 3, by acceleration or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, default in the payment of any Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due); or
(b)
default in the Company's obligation to provide an Offer to Purchase when required in connection with an Asset Sale, a Change of Control or Termination of Trading as provided in Section 3.02; or
(c)
failure to comply with Section 5.01;
(d)
failure on the part of the Company duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Company in the Notes or in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with) continued for a period of thirty (30) days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the Company to remedy the same, shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee, or the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 12.04; or
56
(e)
the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Subsidiaries that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i)
commences a voluntary case or gives notice of intention to make a proposal under any Bankruptcy Law;
(ii)
consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or consents to its dissolution or winding up;
(iii)
consents to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, trustee or custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(iv)
makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v)
admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due or otherwise admits its insolvency; or
(f)
a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i)
is for relief against the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Subsidiaries that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) in an involuntary case; or
(ii)
appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, trustee or custodian of the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Subsidiaries that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Subsidiaries that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary); or
(iii)
orders the liquidation of the Company, any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or any group of Subsidiaries that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary);
and such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(g)
a default under any Debt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that results in acceleration of the maturity of such Debt, or failure to pay any such Debt when due (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any installment payment due on the applicable payment date under the Tranche A Notes and the Tranche A Indenture), (in cases of Debt other than the Debt under the Tranche A Notes and the Tranche A Indenture) in an aggregate amount greater than $10.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time;
57
(h)
any judgment or judgments for, the payment of money in an aggregate amount potentially in excess of $10.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) that shall be rendered against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(i)
any Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Guarantee) or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee;
(j)
the Company, the Guarantor or the Operating Subsidiary amends or modifies their respective constitutive documents in such a manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect or engages any business other than a Related Business;
(k)
Β the Indenture, the Notes, any Guarantee or any loan made directly or indirectly from the Company to the Operating Subsidiary, shall be (A) declared by any Governmental Authority to be illegal or unenforceable or (B) terminated prior to its scheduled termination date (for the avoidance of doubt, any termination resulting from the Voluntary Redemption shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default hereunder);
(l)
(i) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization by any Governmental Authority of any material Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that for the purposes of this paragraph (i), the determination of what is βmaterialβ shall be determined by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; or (ii) if such revocation or repudiation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the revocation or repudiation by any Governmental Authority of any previously granted Governmental Approval to the Operating Subsidiary that is material to the operation of the Related Business; or (iii) the imposition or introduction of material and discriminatory taxes, tariffs, royalties, customs or excise duties imposed on the Operating Subsidiary, or the material and discriminatory withdrawal or suspension of material privileges or specifically granted material rights of a fiscal nature; or
(m)
failure by the Company or any Affiliate thereof (other than any Person who is an Affiliate solely because such Person is a holder of Notes) to comply with any of the agreements in the Amended Investor Rights Agreement if such failure continues for 30 days after written notice is given to the Company by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding specifying the default, demanding that it be remedied and stating that such notice is a βNotice of Default;β
then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g)), unless any Installment Redemption Amount shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding hereunder determined in accordance with Section 12.04, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Noteholders), may declare the principal of all the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all unpaid Installment Redemption Amounts), Interest accrued thereon, if any, and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes contained to the contrary notwithstanding. Β If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) occurs, the principal of all the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all unpaid Installment Redemption Amounts), Default Interest, if any, and premium, if any, shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action. Β
58
This provision, however, is subject to the conditions that if, at any time after the principal of the Notes shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the monies due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured principal of any and all Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all unpaid Installment Redemption Amounts) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration, Default Interest, if any, and amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06, (ii) if any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of Notes which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured or waived pursuant to Section 6.07, then and in every such case the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive all Defaults or Events of Default and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. Β The Company shall notify in writing a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, of any Event of Default.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such waiver or rescission and annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the holders of Notes, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
Section 6.02.Β Β Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. Β
The Company covenants that in case default shall be made in the payment of the principal of any of the Notes as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Notes or in connection with any redemption or repurchase, by or under this Indenture by declaration or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, default in the payment of any Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due), then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Notes for principal with interest upon the overdue principal at the rate of 2% per annum and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06. Β Until such demand by the Trustee, the Company may pay the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all unpaid Installment Redemption Amounts) of the Notes, and Default Interest, if any, to the registered holders, whether or not the Notes are overdue.
59
In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes wherever situated the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable.
In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company or such other obligor, the property of the Company or such other obligor, or in the case of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company or such other obligor upon the Notes, or to the creditors or property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and Interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Noteholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other obligor on the Notes, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06, and to take any other action with respect to such claims, including participating as a member of any official committee of creditors, as it reasonably deems necessary or advisable, and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Noteholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. Β To the extent that such payment of compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, monies, securities and other property which the holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes.
60
In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.
Section 6.03.Β Β Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Β
Any monies or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies or property, upon presentation of the several Notes and either (i) stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, or (ii) upon surrender thereof, if fully paid.
FIRST: Β To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 in connection with the Trustee's performance of its duties under this Indenture or the Notes;
SECOND: Β To the payment of principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any and all unpaid Installment Redemption Amount) and Default Interest, if any, without preference or priority of any Installment Redemption Amount over another Installment Redemption Amount, principal over Default Interest, or of Default Interest over principal, or of any Default Interest over any other Default Interest, or of any Note over any other Note, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and Default Interest, if any; and
THIRD: Β To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or the Guarantors or to whomever may be lawfully entitled thereto.
Section 6.04.Β Β Proceedings by Noteholder. Β
No holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (a) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, (b) the holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such security or indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for sixty (60) days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.07; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and holder of every Note with every other taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Notes shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by reference to any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of Notes, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Notes (except as otherwise provided herein). Β For the protection and enforcement of this Section each and every Noteholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
61
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, the right of any holder of any Note to receive payment of the principal of (including any Installment Redemption Amount, or the purchase price upon an Offer to Purchase, in each case pursuant to Article 3) such Note and Default Interest, if any, on or after the respective due dates (for the avoidance of doubt, including, with respect to any Installment Redemption Amount, the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due) expressed in such Note or in the event of an Offer to Purchase, as the case may be, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates against the Company shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
Anything in this Indenture or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, the holder of any Note, without the consent of either the Trustee or the holder of any other Note, in its own behalf and for its own benefit, may enforce, and may institute and maintain any proceeding suitable to enforce, its rights of conversion as provided herein.
Section 6.05.Β Β Proceedings by Trustee. Β
In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may, in its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 6.06.Β Β Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Β
Except as provided in Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Noteholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or any acquiescence therein, and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Noteholders.
Section 6.07.Β Β Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Noteholders. Β
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 12.04 shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided that (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, (b) the Trustee may take any other action which is not inconsistent with such direction, (c) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would benefit some Noteholder to the detriment of other Noteholders and (d) the Trustee may decline to take any action that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Β Subject to Section 6.01, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 12.04 may, on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes, waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except (i) a default in the payment of the principal of the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a default to pay any Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date, on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due) and Default Interest, if any, (ii) a default in the payment of the purchase price pursuant to Section 3.02 or (iii) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 8 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each or all of the Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Β Upon any such waiver, the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Notes shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Β Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
62
Section 6.08.Β Β Notice of Default. Β
If the Trustee receives notice of any Default or Event of Default from the Company, the Trustee shall mail to all Noteholders, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the Security Register, Notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless the Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided that except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or Interest on any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Noteholders.
Section 6.09.Β Β Undertaking to Pay Costs. Β
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Noteholder, or group of Noteholders, holding in the aggregate more than ten percent in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined in accordance with Section 12.04, or to any suit instituted by any Noteholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or Interest on any Note on or after the due date expressed in such Note.
63
ARTICLE 7
THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01.Β Β Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee. Β
The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. Β In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs.
No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a)
prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred:
(i)
the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants, duties or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii)
in the absence of bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein;
(b)
the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(c)
the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 12.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture;
64
(d)
whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section;
(e)
the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any paying agent or any records maintained by any co-registrar with respect to the Notes;
(f)
if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred; and
(g)
the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office shall have been notified in writing of such Default or Event of Default by the Company or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes.
None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
Section 7.02.Β Β Rights of Trustee. Β
(a)
The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b)
Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company; the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such certificate as sufficient and conclusive evidence of the fulfillment of the applicable conditions precedent, in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders.
(c)
The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such opinion as sufficient and conclusive evidence of the fulfillment of the applicable conditions precedent, in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders.
65
(d)
The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Noteholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Noteholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(e)
The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company, and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(f)
The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder.
(g)
The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(h)
The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(i)
The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers' Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers' Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers' Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(j)
Any permissive right or authority granted to the Trustee shall not be construed as a mandatory duty.
(k)
The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(l)
The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company's covenants herein.
66
(m)
Neither the Trustee nor any clearing system through which the Notes are traded shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance, and shall not be responsible or liable for compliance, with restrictions on transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of minimum denominations imposed hereunder or under applicable law or regulation with respect of any transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of interest in any Note.
(n)
In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Noteholders, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, will be taken.
(o)
The Trustee is entitled to enter into business transactions with the Company, its Affiliates or any entity related thereto without accounting for any profit.
(p)
In connection with the exercise of its functions (including but not limited to those in relation to any proposed modification, authorization, waiver or substitution), the Trustee will have regard to the interests of the Noteholders as a class, and will not have regard to the consequences of such exercise for individual Noteholders. The Trustee will not be entitled to require, nor will any Noteholder be entitled to claim, from the Company or any Guarantor, any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequences of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders.
(q)
The Trustee may refrain from taking any action in any jurisdiction if the taking of such action in that jurisdiction would, in its opinion based upon legal advice in the relevant jurisdiction, be contrary to any law of that jurisdiction or, to the extent applicable, of the State of New York. Furthermore, the Trustee may also refrain from taking such action if it would otherwise render it liable to any person in that jurisdiction or the State of New York or if, in its opinion based upon such legal advice, it would not have the power to do the relevant thing in that jurisdiction by virtue of any applicable law in that jurisdiction or in the State of New York or if it is determined by any court or other competent authority in that jurisdiction or in the State of New York that it does not have such power.
(r)
The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; it being understood that the Trustee shall use its best efforts to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
(s)
In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
67
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall not be obligated to take any action with respect to an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(j) and 6.01(l), unless it has been first notified to do so in writing by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes.
Section 7.03.Β Β No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. Β
The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee's certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. Β The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes. Β The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 7.04.Β Β Trustee, Paying Agents, Depositary or Registrar May Own Notes. Β
The Trustee, any paying agent, Depositary or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent, Depositary or Registrar.
Section 7.05.Β Β Monies to Be Held in Trust. Β
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.04, all monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Β Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Β The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as may be agreed in writing from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.
Section 7.06.Β Β Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. Β
The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to from time to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee, and the Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Β The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee (or any officer, director or employee of the Trustee) in any capacity under this Indenture (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes its duties as paying agent, Depositary or Registrar) and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or such officers, directors, employees and agents or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any holder or any other Person) of liability in the premises. Β The obligations of the Company under this Section to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular Notes. Β The obligation of the Company under this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 11 hereof, the termination of this Indenture, the resignation or removal of the Trustee or payment in full of the Notes through the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.
68
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Β Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 11 hereof, the termination of this Indenture, the resignation or removal of the Trustee or payment in full of the Notes through the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.
When the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Company occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
Section 7.07.Β Β Eligibility of Trustee. Β
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (or, if such Person is a member of a bank holding company system, its bank holding company shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000). Β If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. Β If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
Section 7.08.Β Β Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
(a)
The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and to the holders of Notes. Β Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. Β If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Noteholders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten (10) Business Days' notice to the Company and the Noteholders, petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Β Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
69
(b)
In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i)
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Noteholder; or
(ii)
the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.09, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee; provided that if no successor Trustee shall have been appointed and have accepted appointment sixty (60) days after either the Company or such Noteholder has removed the Trustee, or the Trustee resigns, the Trustee so removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee. Β Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c)
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee which shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless, within ten (10) days after notice to the Company of such nomination, the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Noteholder, or, if such Trustee so removed or any Noteholder fails to act, the Company, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in Section 7.08(a) provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.
(d)
Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.09.
(e)
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company's obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
70
Section 7.09.Β Β Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Β
Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.08 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amount then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Β Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Β Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien upon all property and funds held or collected by such trustee as such, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section unless, at the time of such acceptance, such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.07.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company (or the former trustee, at the written direction of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Β If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten (10) days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.10.Β Β Succession by Merger. Β
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including any trust created by this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, provided that in the case of any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, such corporation shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09. Β The Trustee shall provide the Company with a written notice within thirty (30) days after the closing of such merger, conversion or consolidation.
In any case where at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force that is provided in the Notes or in this Indenture; provided that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
71
Section 7.11.Β Β Trustee's Application for Instructions from the Company. Β
Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. Β The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three (3) Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
Section 7.12.Β Β [Reserved]. Β
Section 7.13.Β Β Certain Provisions.
Each Noteholder by accepting a Note authorizes and directs on his or her behalf the Trustee to enter into and to take such actions and to make such acknowledgements as are set forth in this Indenture or other documents entered into in connection therewith.
ARTICLE 8
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 8.01.Β Β Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Noteholders. Β
The Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time, and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:
(a)
make provision with respect to the purchase obligations of the Company pursuant to the requirements of Section 3.02;
(b)
to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Notes, any property or assets;
72
(c)
to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor Person of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article 11;
(d)
to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions or conditions as the Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the benefit of the holders of Notes, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions or conditions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided that, in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or condition, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default;
(e)
to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Notes in coupon form (including Notes registrable as to principal only) and to provide for exchangeability of such Notes with the Notes issued hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;
(f)
to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture that shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Notes;
(g)
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes;
(h)
add additional Guarantees or additional obligors with respect to the Notes or release Guarantors from guarantees as permitted by the terms of this Indenture; or
(i)
to increase, from time to time, the per annum interest rate on the Notes for any period.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture (in form satisfactory to the Trustee), the Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property thereunder; provided that the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Notes at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 8.02.
73
Section 8.02.Β Β Supplemental Indenture with Consent of Noteholders. Β
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 12) of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, the Company, when authorized by the resolutions of the Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided that no such supplemental indenture shall:
(a)
extend the fixed maturity of any Note (including, for the avoidance of doubt, extending, with respect to any Installment Redemption Amount, the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due);
(b)
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of Interest, if any;
(c)
reduce the principal amount thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) or reduce any amount payable on redemption or repurchase thereof;
(d)
change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note upon the happening of a Termination of Trading in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes;
(e)
impair the right of any Noteholder to institute suit for the payment thereof;
(f)
make the principal thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) or Interest payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Notes;
(g)
Β
modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 6.07, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each Note so affected;
(h)
change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes set forth in Section 4.02;
(i)
reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in Article 13;
(j)
subordinate the Notes or any Guarantee to any other obligation of the Company or the applicable Guarantor;
74
(k)
release any security interest that may have been granted in favor of the holders of the Notes other than pursuant to the terms of such security interest;
(l)
at any time after a Change of Control has occurred, change the time at which the Change of Control Offer relating thereto must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant to such Change of Control Offer;
(m)
at any time after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer with the Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales, change the time at which such Asset Sale Offer must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant thereto;
(n)
make any change in any Guarantee that would adversely affect the holders; or
(o)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture,
in each case, without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding.
Upon the written request of the Company, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors certified by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture (in form satisfactory to the Trustee), and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Noteholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Noteholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
Section 8.03.Β Β Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Β
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article, this Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Notes shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder, subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 8.04.Β Β Notation on Notes. Β
Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. Β If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may, at the Company's expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 15.10) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding.
75
Section 8.05.Β Β Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to Be Furnished to Trustee. Β
Prior to entering into any supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article and is otherwise authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 9
GUARANTEES
Section 9.01.Β Β Guarantee.
Subject to this Article 9, each Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to each holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns: Β (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the due and punctual payment of each Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due), the due and punctual payment of the Default Interest, if any, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the holders or the Trustee under this Indenture or any other agreement with or for the benefit of the holders or the Trustee, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration pursuant to Section 6.01, redemption or otherwise. Β Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Β Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations with regard to its Guarantee shall be joint and several, unconditional, irrespective of the validity or enforceability of the Notes or the obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any other obligor with respect to this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Β Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, waives and relinquishes all claims, rights and remedies accorded by applicable law to guarantors and agrees not to assert or take advantage of any such claims, rights or remedies, including but not limited to: Β (a) any right to require any of the Trustee, the holders or the Company (each a βBenefited Partyβ), as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (1) proceed against the Company, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Obligations under the Guarantees or any other Person, (2) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Company, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (3) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Benefited Party in favor of the Company or any other Person, or (4) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Benefited Party whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Company including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Obligations under the Guarantees or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Company from any cause other than payment in full of the Obligations under the Guarantees; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Benefited Party's errors or omissions in the administration of the Obligations under the Guarantees, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (e)(1) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms of the Guarantees and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor's obligations hereunder, (2) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor's liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (3) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims and (4) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Benefited Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentations, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance of the Guarantees, notices of Default under the Notes or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Obligations under the Guarantees or any agreement related thereto, and notices of any extension of credit to the Company and any right to consent to any thereof; (g) to the extent permitted under applicable law, the benefits of any βOne Actionβ rule and (h) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms of the Guarantees. Β Except to the extent expressly provided herein, including Section 9.05, each Guarantor hereby covenants that its Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in its Guarantee and this Indenture.
76
If any holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such holder, the Guarantee of such Guarantor, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Β Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.01 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.01 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. Β The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the holders under the Guarantee.
77
Section 9.02.Β Β Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
(a)
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any guarantee. Β To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that each Guarantor's liability shall be that amount from time to time equal to the aggregate liability of such Guarantor under the guarantee, but shall be limited to the lesser of (a) the aggregate amount of the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture or (b) the amount, if any, which would not have (1) rendered the Guarantor βinsolventβ (as such term is defined in Bankruptcy Law and in the Debtor and Creditor Law of the State of New York) or (2) left it with unreasonably small capital at the time its guarantee with respect to the Notes was entered into, after giving effect to the incurrence of existing Debt immediately before such time; provided, however, it shall be a presumption in any lawsuit or proceeding in which a Guarantor is a party that the amount guaranteed pursuant to the guarantee with respect to the Notes is the amount described in clause (a) above unless any creditor, or representative of creditors of the Guarantor, or debtor in possession or trustee in bankruptcy of the Guarantor, otherwise proves in a lawsuit that the aggregate liability of the Guarantor is limited to the amount described in clause (b).
(b)
In making any determination as to the solvency or sufficiency of capital of a Guarantor in accordance with the proviso of Section 9.02(a), the right of each Guarantor to contribution from other Guarantors and any other rights such Guarantor may have, contractual or otherwise, shall be taken into account.
Section 9.03.Β Β Execution and Delivery of Guarantee.
To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 9.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee in substantially the form included in Exhibit B attached hereto shall be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President or one of its Vice Presidents.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 9.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
78
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
The Company hereby agrees that it shall cause each Person that becomes obligated to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.18 (each, a βFuture Guarantorβ) to execute a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, pursuant to which such Person provides the guarantee set forth in this Article 9 and otherwise assumes the obligations and accepts the rights of a Guarantor under this Indenture, in each case with the same effect and to the same extent as if such Person had been named herein as a Guarantor. Β The Company also hereby agrees to cause each such new Guarantor to evidence its guarantee by endorsing a notation of such guarantee on each Note as provided in this Section.
Section 9.04.Β Β Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.05, no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the Surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor unless:
(a)
subject to Section 9.05, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than a Guarantor or the Company) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, under this Indenture, the Guarantee on the terms set forth herein or therein; and
(b)
the Guarantor complies with the requirements of Article 5 hereof.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee, of the Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Β Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. Β All the Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
Section 9.05.Β Β Releases Following Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets, Etc.
In the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) a Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) shall be released and relieved of any obligations under its Guarantee; provided that the net proceeds of such sale or other disposition shall be applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.12. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.12, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee.
79
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 9.
ARTICLE 10
[RESERVED]
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
Section 11.01.Β Β Discharge of Indenture. Β
When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes theretofore authenticated (other than any Notes that have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered) and not theretofore canceled, or (b) all the Notes not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within three years or are to be called for redemption within three years under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay at maturity (or with respect to any Installment Redemption Amount, the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due) or upon redemption of all of the Notes (other than any Notes that shall have been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen and in lieu of or in substitution for which other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered) not theretofore canceled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) and Interest due or to become due to such date of maturity, the applicable Installment Redemption Date or redemption date, as the case may be, accompanied by a verification report, as to the sufficiency of the deposited amount, from an independent certified accountant or other financial professional satisfactory to the Trustee, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, and in the case of either clause (a) or (b), no Default or Event of Default with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) remaining rights of registration of transfer, substitution and exchange of Notes, (ii) rights hereunder of Noteholders to receive payments of principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of and Default Interest, if any, on the Notes and the other rights, duties and obligations of Noteholders, as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the amounts, if any, so deposited with the Trustee and (iii) the rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee hereunder), and the Trustee, on written demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as required by Section 15.05 and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; the Company, however, hereby agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter incurred by the Trustee and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Notes. The Trustee shall hold in trust money deposited with it pursuant to this Article. It shall apply the deposited money through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of and Interest, if any, on the Notes.
80
Section 11.02.Β Β Deposited Monies to Be Held in Trust by Trustee. Β
Subject to Section 11.04, all monies deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust for the sole benefit of the Noteholders, and such monies shall be applied by the Trustee to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such monies have been deposited with the Trustee of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount), premium, if any, and Interest, if any.
Section 11.03.Β Β Paying Agent to Repay Monies Held. Β
Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all monies then held by any paying agent of the Notes (other than the Trustee) shall, upon written request of the Company, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such monies.
Section 11.04.Β Β Return of Unclaimed Monies. Β
Subject to the requirements of applicable law, any monies deposited with or paid to the Trustee for payment of the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) or Interest, if any, on Notes and not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Notes for two years (or such shorter period of time under applicable escheat law) after the date upon which the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of or Interest, if any, on such Notes, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be repaid to the Company by the Trustee on demand and all liability of the Trustee shall thereupon cease with respect to such monies; and the holder of any of the Notes shall thereafter look only to the Company for any payment that such holder may be entitled to collect unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
81
Section 11.05.Β Β Reinstatement. Β
If the Trustee or the paying agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 11.02 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 until such time as the Trustee or the paying agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 11.02; provided that, if the Company makes any payment of Interest, if any, on or principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or paying agent.
ARTICLE 12
THE NOTEHOLDERS
Section 12.01.Β Β Action by Noteholders. Β
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that, at the time of taking any such action, the holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Noteholders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of the holders of Notes voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Noteholders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article 13, or (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Noteholders. Β Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Noteholders, the Company or the Trustee may fix in advance of such solicitation a date as the record date for determining holders entitled to take such action. Β The record date shall be not more than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.
Section 12.02.Β Β Proof of Execution by Noteholders. Β
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.04, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Noteholder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. Β The holding of Notes shall be proved by the registry of such Notes or by a certificate of the Registrar.
The record of any Noteholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 13.05.
Section 12.03.Β Β Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. Β
The Company, the Trustee, any paying agent, any Depositary and any Registrar may deem the Person in whose name such Note shall be registered upon the Security Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of and Interest, if any, on such Note, and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent, Depositary nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Β All such payments so made to any holder for the time being, or upon such holder's order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable upon any such Note.
82
Section 12.04.Β Β Company-owned Notes Disregarded. Β
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes which are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or any other obligor on the Notes shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that, for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action, only Notes which a Responsible Officer knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Β Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right to vote such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company, any other obligor on the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or any such other obligor. Β In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Β Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described Persons, and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers' Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
Section 12.05.Β Β Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. Β
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 12.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Note which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 12.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Β Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor.
83
ARTICLE 13
MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS
Section 13.01.Β Β Purpose of Meetings. Β
A meeting of Noteholders may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Article for any of the following purposes:
(a)
to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee or to give any directions to the Trustee permitted under this Indenture, or to consent to the waiving of any Default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by Noteholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article 6;
(b)
to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article 7;
(c)
to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.02; or
(d)
to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Notes under any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.
Section 13.02.Β Β Call of Meetings by Company or Noteholders. Β
In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of Noteholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within twenty (20) days after receipt of such request, then the Company or such Noteholders may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any action authorized in Section 13.01 by mailing notice a notice of meeting. Notice of every meeting of the Noteholders, setting forth the time and place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting and the establishment of any record date pursuant to Section 12.01, shall be mailed to holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security Register. Β Such notice shall also be mailed to the Company. Β Such notices shall be mailed not less than twenty (20) nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
Any meeting of Noteholders shall be valid without notice if the holders of all Notes then outstanding are present in person or by proxy or if notice is waived before or after the meeting by the holders of all Notes outstanding, and if the Company and the Trustee are either present by duly authorized representatives or have, before or after the meeting, waived notice.
Section 13.03.Β Β Qualifications for Voting. Β
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders, a person shall (a) be a holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting or (b) be a person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Notes on the record date pertaining to such meeting. Β The only persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Noteholders shall be the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.
84
Section 13.04.Β Β Regulations. Β
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Noteholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.
The Company or the Noteholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting. Β A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes represented at the meeting and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Subject to the provisions of Section 12.04, at any meeting each Noteholder or proxyholder shall be entitled to one vote for each $100,000 principal amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. Β The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than by virtue of Notes held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly designating him as the proxy to vote on behalf of other Noteholders. Β Any meeting of Noteholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.02 may be adjourned from time to time by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented at the meeting, whether or not constituting a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding, the latter of which shall constitute a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 13.05.Β Β Voting. Β
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Noteholders shall be by written ballot on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the holders of Notes or of their representatives by proxy and the outstanding principal amount of the Notes held or represented by them. Β The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. Β A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Noteholders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting, and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as provided in Section 13.02. Β The record shall show the principal amount of the Notes voting in favor of or against any resolution. Β The record shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting.
85
Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.
Section 13.06.Β Β No Delay of Rights by Meeting. Β
Nothing contained in this Article shall be deemed or construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Noteholders or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Noteholders under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Notes.
Β
ARTICLE 14Β [RESERVED]
Β
86
Β
ARTICLE 15
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 15.01.Β Β Provisions Binding on Company's Successors. Β
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements by the Company contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
Section 15.02.Β Β Official Acts by Successor Corporation. Β
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Person that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company.
Section 15.03.Β Β Addresses for Notices, Etc.Β Β
Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of Notes on the Company shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows: Β
If to the Company:
China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.
13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower
Shennan Road, Futian, Shenzhen
People's Republic of China
Attention: Mr. Tu Xxx Xxxx
Facsimile No: Β x00 000 00000000
87
With a copy to:
Pillsbury Winsthrop Xxxx Xxxxxx LLP
0000 X Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
X.X.X.
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile No: x0 000 000-0000
If to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York Mellon
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
U.S.A.
Attention: Β Global Corporate Trust
Facsimile No: x0 000 000 0000/5803
The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed to such holder by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address as it appears on the Security Register and shall be sufficiently given to such holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders. Β If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
Section 15.04.Β Β Governing Law. Β
THIS INDENTURE, THE GUARANTEE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
EACH OF PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 15.05.Β Β Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates to Trustee. Β
Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
88
Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include: Β (1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in such certificate or opinion is based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 15.06.Β Β Legal Holidays. Β
In any case in which the date of payment of Interest on or principal of the Notes or the redemption date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Date) of any Note will not be a Business Day, then payment of such Interest on or principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the redemption date, and no Interest shall accrue for the period from and after such date.
Section 15.07.Β Β Company Responsible for Making Calculations.
The Company will be responsible for making all calculations required under the Notes. The Company will make these calculations in good faith and absent manifest error, these calculations will be final and binding on the Noteholders. Promptly after the calculation thereof, the Company will provide to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate setting forth a schedule of its calculations, and the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company's calculations to any holder upon the written request of such holder.
Section 15.08.Β Β Benefits of Indenture. Β
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any paying agent, any authenticating agent, any Depositary, any Registrar and their successors hereunder and the holders of Notes any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 15.09.Β Β Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.Β Β
The table of contents and the titles and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
89
Section 15.10.Β Β Authenticating Agent. Β
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf, and subject to its direction, in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, and 3.02, as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. Β For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes βby the Trusteeβ and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee's certificate of authentication. Β Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.07.
Any corporation into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. Β The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Β Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee shall either promptly appoint a successor authenticating agent or itself assume the duties and obligations of the former authenticating agent under this Indenture and, upon such appointment of a successor authenticating agent, if made, shall give written notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment of a successor authenticating agent to all holders of Notes as the names and addresses of such holders appear on the Security Register.
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time such compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing between the Company and the authenticating agent.
The provisions of Sections 7.02, 7.03, 7.04 and 12.03 and this Section shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
Section 15.11.Β Β Indenture and Notes Solely Corporate Obligations. Β
No recourse for the payment of the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amountβ) of, premium, if any, or Interest, if any, on any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer, director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes.
90
Section 15.12.Β Β Execution in Counterparts. Β
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 15.13.Β Β Severability. Β
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 15.14.Β Β Consent to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
The Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States sitting in the State and City of New York, County and Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such state court sitting in the State and City of New York, County and Borough of Manhattan or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court sitting in the State and City of New York, County and Borough of Manhattan. Β The Company further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Company at Corporation Service Company, Suite 3100, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX, 00000. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
The Company hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes in any New York State or federal court. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
91
Section 15.15.Β Β Currency Indemnity.
U.S. dollars are the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by us in cash under or in connection with the Notes, including damages. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than U.S. dollars (as a result of, or through the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, in the Company's winding-up or dissolution or otherwise) by any Holder of a Note in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Company will only constitute a discharge to the Company to the extent of the U.S. dollar amount that the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so). If that U.S. dollar amount is less than the U.S. dollar amount expressed to be due to the recipient under any Note, the Company shall indemnify such Holder against any loss sustained by it as a result; and if the amount of U.S. dollars so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to such Holder, such Holder will, by accepting a Note, be deemed to have agreed to repay such excess. In any event, the Company shall indemnify the recipient against the cost of making any such purchase.
Section 15.16.Β Β U.S.A. Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information Β that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Β The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with all such information as it may request in order to satisfy the requirements or its obligations under such act.
Β
[Signature page(s) to follow.]
Β
92
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture
to be duly executed.
Β
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
Β |
Β |
By: /s/ Tu Xxx XxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β |
Authorized Signatory |
Β |
CHINA SAFETECH HOLDINGS LIMITED |
Β |
Β |
By: /s/ Tu Xxx XxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β |
Authorized Signatory |
Β
Β |
FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECTION 4.18(A) ONLY |
Β |
Β |
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY (PRC), INC. |
Β |
By: /s/ Tu Xxx XxxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β |
Authorized Signatory |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, |
a New York banking corporation, |
as Trustee |
Β |
Β |
By: /s/ Xxxx XxxΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β |
Name: Xxxx Xxx |
Title: Assistant Vice President |
Β |
Β |
Β |
Β
Β
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST COMPANY (βDTCβ) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]1
Β
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE
U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE βSECURITIES ACTβ) OR OTHER
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR
SOLD EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.
Β
Β BY ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN
THE HOLDING PERIOD SET FORTH IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (A) RESELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT (I) TO THE ISSUER OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (II) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO THE
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 OR OTHERWISE UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, IF AVAILABLE, OR (IV) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH
HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE
EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER OR (B) ENGAGE IN HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
WITH RESPECT TO THIS SECURITY UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT; AND
Β
(3)
AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE SECURITY
EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE
2(A)(IV) ABOVE) A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.
Β
[IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.]2
_____________________
1 This legend should be included only if the Note is a Global
Note.
2 This legend should be
included only if the Note is a Definitive Note.
A-1
Β CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Β
TRANCHE B ZERO COUPON GUARANTEED SENIOR UNSECURED
NOTE
Β
CUSIP: Β U16809 AB8
ISIN: USU 16809AB82
No. 1 $ 84,000,000
Β
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the βCompanyβ, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., the nominee for The Depositary Trust Company, or registered assigns, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, (i) each Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date such Installment Redemption Amount is due as set forth on Schedule I hereto, and (ii) interest on any overdue Installment Redemption Amount, if any, at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate of 5.0% per annum. Β
The Company shall pay Interest, if any, (i) on any Notes in certificated form by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security Register (provided that the holder of Notes with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $1,000,000 shall, at the written election of such holder, be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds) or (ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. |
Β |
By:____________________________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
Β |
Β |
Β
TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Β
This is one of the Notes described in the within-named Indenture.
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, |
a New York banking corporation, |
as Trustee |
Β |
Β |
By:____________________________________________ |
Authorized Signatory |
Β |
Dated: |
A-3
Β
[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]
Β
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Β
TRANCHE B ZERO COUPON GUARANTEED SENIOR UNSECURED
NOTE
Β
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its Tranche B Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes (herein called the βNotesβ), in an initial aggregate principal amount of $84,000,000, issued and to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated September 2, 2009 (herein called the βIndentureβ), among the Company, China Safetech Holdings Limited, as the Guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (herein called the βTrusteeβ), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Notes.
In case an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of and accrued and unpaid Default Interest, if any, on all Notes may be declared by either the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Notes; provided that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note (including, for the avoidance of doubt, extending, with respect to any Installment Redemption Amount, the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due); (ii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of Interest, if any; (iii) reduce the principal amount thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) or reduce any amount payable on redemption or repurchase thereof; (iv) change the obligation of the Company to repurchase any Note upon the happening of a Termination of Trading in a manner adverse to the holders of Notes; (v) impair the right of any Noteholder to institute suit for the payment thereof; (vi) make the principal thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) or Interest, if any, payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Notes; (vii) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 6.07 of the Indenture, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each Note so affected; (viii) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes set forth in Section 4.02 of the Indenture; (ix) reduce the quorum or voting requirements set forth in Article 13 of the Indenture; (x) subordinate the Notes or any Guarantee to any other obligation of the Company or the applicable Guarantor; (xi) release any security interest that may have been granted in favor of the holders of the Notes other than pursuant to the terms of such security interest; (xii) at any time after a Change of Control has occurred, change the time at which the Change of Control Offer relating thereto must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant to such Change of Control Offer; (xiii) at any time after the Company is obligated to make an Asset Sale Offer with the Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales, change the time at which such Asset Sale Offer must be made or at which the Notes must be repurchased pursuant thereto; (xiv) make any change in any Guarantee that would adversely affect the holders; or (xv) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture, in each case, without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding. Β Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences except (A) a default in the payment of the principal of, the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a default to pay any Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date, on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due) and Default Interest, if any, (B) a default in the payment of the purchase price pursuant to Section 3.02 of the Indenture or (C) a default in respect of a covenant or provisions hereof which under Article 8 of the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each or all of the Notes then outstanding or affected thereby. Β Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution hereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.
A-4
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and Default Interest, if any, on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein prescribed.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $100,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Β At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration or exchange of Notes, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.
The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund. At any time prior to the Final Redemption Date, the Company may redeem the Notes (in whole or in part) Β without any premium or penalty, except for Default Interest, if any.
A-5
In the event that the Company shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, a Change of Control Offer or a Termination of Trading Offer, the Company shall mail to all holders of record of the Notes a notice which states the terms of such Offer to Purchase, and, in the case of a Change of Control Offer or Termination of Trading Offer, the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such event. Β Each holder shall have the right to accept such offer and require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of such holder's Notes in cash equal to the Repurchase Amount.
Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Offer to Purchase shall deliver to the Company such Note with the form entitled βPurchase Noticeβ on the reverse thereof duly completed, together with the Note, duly endorsed for transfer, at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date, and shall deliver the Notes to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) as set forth in the Indenture. Β
The Notes will be subject to repurchase in multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
Holders have the right to withdraw any Purchase Notice by delivering to the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company) a written notice of withdrawal up to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date all as provided in the Indenture.
If money or cash, sufficient to pay the repurchase price of all Notes or portions thereof to be purchased as of the Purchase Date is deposited with the Trustee (or other paying agent appointed by the Company), on the Purchase Date, interest, if any, will cease to accrue on such Notes (or portions thereof) immediately after such Purchase Date, and the holder thereof shall have no other rights as such other than the right to receive the repurchase price upon surrender of such Note.
A-6
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note
at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations
for an equal aggregate principal amount will be issued to the transferee in
exchange thereof, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without
charge except for any tax, assessment or other governmental charge imposed in
connection therewith.
The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note (whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone other than the Company or any Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment hereof, or on account hereof, for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any other authenticating agent nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Β All payments made to or upon the order of such registered holder shall, to the extent of the sum or sums paid, satisfy and discharge liability for monies payable on this Note.
No recourse for the payment of the principal (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Installment Redemption Amount) of or Interest, if any, on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, employee, agent, officer or director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.
For purposes of sections 1272, 1273 and 1275 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, this Note is being issued with Tax Original Issue Discount and the issue date of this Note is September 2, 2009.
This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York.
Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.
A-7
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations.
TEN COM | - | as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - Custodian |
TEN ENT | - | as tenant by the entireties | (Cust) (Minor) |
JT TEN | - | as joint tenants with right of survivorship under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act and not as tenants in common |
______________________________
(State)
Β
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
Β
A-8
Β SCHEDULE I
CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Β
Tranche B Zero Coupon Guaranteed Senior Unsecured Notes
No. 2
Β
The original principal amount of this Note is EIGHTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS ($84,000,000). Β The Company will pay such principal amount in installments by paying each Installment Redemption Amount on the Installment Redemption Date on which such Installment Redemption Amount is due, as follows: Β
Β
Installment Redemption Date |
Installment Redemption Amount (US$), for each US$100,000 principal amount of the Notes |
March 2, 2010
|
US$ Β Β Β Β 23,000.00 |
September 2, 2010
|
$ Β Β Β Β 23,000.00 |
March 2, 2011
|
$ Β Β Β Β 23,000.00 |
September 2, 2011
|
$ Β Β Β Β 23,000.00 |
March 2, 2012
|
Β Β $ Β Β 4,000.00 |
September 2, 2012
|
$ Β Β 4,000.00 |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Total: |
Β US$ Β Β 100,000.00 |
Β
For purposes thereof, the Principal Amount has been adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Indenture as set forth below:
Β
Date
Principal Amount
Notation Explaining Principal
Amount Recorded
Β
Authorized Signature of Trustee or Custodian
A-9
PURCHASE NOTICE
TO: Β CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Β
_______
Β
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a notice from China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. (the βCompanyβ) regarding the right of holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the Notes upon the occurrence of either an Asset Sale Offer, a Change of Control Offer or a Termination of Trading Offer and requests and instructs the Company to repay the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture at the price of the Repurchase Amount, to the registered holder hereof. Β
Β
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture. Β The Notes shall be purchased by the Company as of the Purchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.
Β
$
Β principal amount of the Notes to which this Purchase Notice relates (if less than entire principal amount) pursuant to 4.12, 4.17 or 4.23 of the Indenture, check the box below:
£       Section 4.12 | Purchase Date: |
Β | Β |
£       Section 4.17 |  |
Β | Β |
£       Section 4.23 |  |
Β | Β |
Dated:
Signature(s):
NOTICE: Β The above signatures of the holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
A-10
Note Certificate Number (if applicable):
Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all):
Β
Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number:
Β
Assignment Form
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to
Β
(Insert assignee's social security or other tax I.D. no.)
Β
Β
Β
Β
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
Β
and irrevocably appoint _________________________________________ as agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. Β The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Β
Β
Β | Β |
Date: ______________________ | Β |
Β | Your Signature:Β ______________________ |
Β | (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
Β | Β |
Signature Guarantee: | Β |
A-11
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture), jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated September 2, 2009 (the βIndentureβ), among China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc., as issuer (the βCompanyβ), the Guarantor listed on the signature pages thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the βTrusteeβ), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium and interest, if any, on the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repurchase or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Β The obligations of the Guarantors to the holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 9 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee. Β This Guarantee is subject to release as and to the extent set forth in Section 9.05 of the Indenture. Β Each holder of a Note, by accepting the same agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined are used herein as so defined in the Indenture.
[GUARANTOR NAME] |
Β |
By:__________________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
Β |
Β
B-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Β
China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc.
13/F, Shenzhen Special Zone Press Tower
Shennan Road, Futian, Shenzhen
People's Republic of China
Β
The Bank of New York Mellon
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
U.S.A.
Attention: Global Corporate Trust
Β
Re:
TRANCHE B ZERO COUPON GUARANTEED SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated September 2, 2009 (the βIndentureβ), among CHINA SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY, INC., as issuer (the βCompanyβ), the Guarantors thereto and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation, as trustee. Β Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
___________________, (the βTransferorβ) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] in the principal amount of $___________ (the βTransferβ), to Β ___________________________ (the βTransfereeβ). Β In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. Β Β Β Β£
Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. Β The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(a) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act), (A) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person, (B) the Transferee is not a U.S. person and is not acquiring the Notes for the account or benefit of any U.S. person or is a U.S. person who purchased securities in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act, (C) the Transferee understands that it may and agrees to resell the Notes only in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an available exemption from registration; and understands that it may not and agrees not to engage in hedging transactions with regard to the Notes unless in compliance with the Securities Act; (D) the Transferee acknowledges that the certificates evidencing the Notes will contain a legend to the effect that transfer is prohibited except in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an available exemption from registration; and that hedging transactions involving those securities may not be conducted unless in compliance with the Securities Act; (E) the Transferee acknowledges that the Company is required to refuse to register any transfer of the securities not made in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S, pursuant to registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an available exemption from registration; provided, however, that if the Notes are in bearer form or foreign law prevents the Company from refusing to register securities transfers, other reasonable procedures (such as a legend described above) are implemented to prevent any transfer of the securities not made in accordance with the provisions of Regulation S. Β Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the legend printed on the Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Securities Act.
C-1
2. Β Β Β Β Β£
Β Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Regulation S. Β The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Global Notes and Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that:
(i)
Β Β such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(ii)
Β Β such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or
(iii)
Β Β such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.
________________________________ |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β [Insert Name of Transferor] |
Β |
By:__________________________________ |
Name: |
Title: |
Β
C-2