EXHIBIT 4.4
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A/B EXCHANGE
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 29, 1999
by and among
US Unwired Inc.
Louisiana Unwired, LLC
Unwired Telecom Corp.
and
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx Securities Corporation
First Union Securities, Inc.
BNY Capital Markets, Inc.
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This A/B Exchange Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made
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and entered into as of October 29, 1999, by and among US Unwired Inc., a
Louisiana corporation (the "Company"); Louisiana Unwired, LLC and Unwired
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Telecom Corp. (the "Guarantors"); and Xxxxxxxxx, Lufkin & Xxxxxxxx Securities
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Corporation; First Union Securities, Inc. and BNY Capital Markets, Inc. (the
"Initial Purchasers"), which have agreed to purchase the Company's 13 3/8%
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Series A Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2009 (the "Series A Notes")
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pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated October
26, 1999 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Guarantors
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and the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to
purchase the Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section
3 of the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meaning assigned to them by the Indenture, dated October
29, 1999, between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Trustee, relating to the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes (the
"Indenture").
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The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 under the Act.
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Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
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Certificated Securities: Definitive Notes, as defined in the Indenture.
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Closing Date: The date hereof.
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Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes
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of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under
the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B
Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the
Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under
the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
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Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
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Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
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amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such
exchange and issuance.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating
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to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose
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to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and pursuant to Regulation S under
the Act.
Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
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Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
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Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
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time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
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Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
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Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company and the
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Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange
Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus
included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-
effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference
therein.
Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
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Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
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Series B Notes: The Company's 13 3/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Discount
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Notes due 2009 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer
or (ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
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Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
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in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each (A) Series A Note, until the earliest
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to occur of (i) the date on which such Series A Note is exchanged in the
Exchange Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the public
by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act, (ii) the date on which such Series A Note has been
disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the
purchasers thereof have been issued Series B Notes), or (iii) the date on which
such Series A Note is distributed pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act; and (B)
Series B Note held by a Broker-Dealer until the date on which such Series B Note
is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution"
contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including the
delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
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SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable federal
law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been complied
with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable
after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 45 days after the Closing
Date (such 45th day being the "Filing Deadline"), (ii) use its commercially
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reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become
effective at the earliest practicable time, but in no event later than 150 days
after the Closing Date (such 150th day being the "Effectiveness Deadline"),
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(iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to
such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause
it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to
such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act
and (C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration
and qualification of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange
Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the making of such Blue Sky law filings, commence and Consummate
the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be on the
appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Series B Notes to be offered
in exchange for the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and
(ii) resales of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange
Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a
result of market making activities or other trading activities (other than
Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be
effective continuously during, and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a
period of not less than, the minimum period (if any) required under applicable
federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer;
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provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business
Days. The Company and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply
with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than
the Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement. The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on
the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
has become effective, but in no event later than 30 business days thereafter
(such 30/th/ day being the "Consummation Deadline").
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(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission.
Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and
Guarantors shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus
delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of
Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers, the Company and the Guarantors agree to use
their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current
as required by and subject to the provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and
in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of one year from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will
terminate when all such Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company and the
Guarantors shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such
Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later
than one day after such request, at any time during such period.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
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applicable law or Commission policy (after the Company and the Guarantors have
complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20
Business Days following the Consummation Deadline that (A) such Holder was
prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer
or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or
available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-
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Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (i) the
date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date
on which the Company receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above, (30
days after the earlier date in (i) or (ii) above, the "Filing Deadline"), a
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shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an
amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration
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Statement")), relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities, and
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(y) shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such
Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 90 days after
the Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement of, if later, the date
by which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement would otherwise have been
required to be declared effective if the obligation to file the Shelf
Registration Statement had not arisen (such 90th day the "Effectiveness
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Deadline").
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If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required
to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause
(a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that,
in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y).
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required
to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company and
the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to
keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously
effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least two
years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the Closing Date, or
such shorter period as will terminate when (x) all Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
thereto or (y) the only remaining Transfer Restricted Securities have been
determined in good faith by the Company, after reasonable inquiry, to be
eligible for resale under Rule 144(k).
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the
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Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
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include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 and 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have provided all such
information by the time herein provided. Each selling Holder agrees to promptly
furnish
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additional information required to be disclosed in order to make the information
previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any
Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared
effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for
its intended purpose without being succeeded by a post-effective amendment to
such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared
effective within three business days after such cessation or failure (each such
event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), then
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the Company and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay to each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in
an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each week (prorated for any
portion thereof) that the Registration Default continues for the first 90-day
period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The
amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week
per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to
each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured,
up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 in
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that the Company
and the Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for
more than one Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange
Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration Statement
that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable,
the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable
in the case of (iv) above, or (5) upon the Transfer Restricted Securities being
salable under Rule 144(k), the liquidated damages payable with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or
(iv), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated damages
are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the
Company and the Guarantors to pay accrued liquidated damages with respect to
securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to
such securities shall have been satisfied in full.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has complied with its
obligations under Section 6 of this Agreement, no Holder of Series A Notes shall
be entitled to receive any liquidated
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damages with respect to such Series A Notes if such Holder was eligible to
exchange, and did not validly tender, such Notes for Series B Notes in the
Exchange Offer.
The subordination provisions of Section 10 of the Indenture are hereby
incorporated in this Section 5 and made applicable to the Liquidated Damages
payments as if such provisions were set forth verbatim herein.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
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Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall (x) comply with all
applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use their respective
commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange and to permit the resale
of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Series A
Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its
market making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and (z)
comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change
in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange
Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a
substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek
a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing
the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such
Transfer Restricted Securities. The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree
to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level. In
connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree
to take all such other actions as may be requested by the Commission or
otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such decision,
including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences
with the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis
prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any,
upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be
permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be
favorable) by the Commission staff.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
any Holder who is a Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
representation to the Company and the Guarantors (which may be contained in
the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company,
(B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
(C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business.
As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer each Holder using
the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Series B Notes
shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B Notes
obtained by such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly
from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under
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Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the
position of the Commission enunciated in Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc.
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(available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available
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May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman &
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Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if
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applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above),
and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction
and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 and 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall provide a supplemental
letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Guarantors
are registering the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the
Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May
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13, 1988), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as
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interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2,
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1993, and, if applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(i) above, (B) including a representation that neither the Company nor any
Guarantor has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person
to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and
that, to the best of the Company's and each Guarantor's information and
belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the
Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the
Series B Notes received in the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking
or representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action
letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable; in each above
case if such representation is correct.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
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Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall: (i) comply with
all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and use their respective commercially
reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the
Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method
or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information furnished to
the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company
and the Guarantors will prepare and file with the Commission a Registration
Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act,
which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within
the time periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof, and
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A Notes
covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement,
Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the Company shall
register Series B Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose and
issue the Series B Notes to the purchaser(s) of securities subject to the Shelf
Registration Statement in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement and
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any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company and the
Guarantors shall:
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(i) use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all
requisite financial statements for the period specified in Section 3 or 4
of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that
would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained
therein (A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer
Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the
Company and the Guarantors shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to
such Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if Commission review
is required, use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause
such amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-
effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable
period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; cause the
Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as
so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to
comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable, under the Act in
a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder,
confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to
any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the
Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or
supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating
thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the
suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or
the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of
the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document
incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of
any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in order to make
the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the making of any
additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state
securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order
suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws, the
Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the
earliest possible time;
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(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated
by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or
file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) furnish to each selling Holder in connection with such exchange
or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any
Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments
or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including
all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such
Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and
comment of such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period
of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably object
within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be
deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed
to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act;
(vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus
included therein, provide copies of such document to each selling Holder in
connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's and the
Guarantors' representatives available for discussion of such document and
other customary due diligence matters, and include such information in such
document prior to the filing thereof as such Holders may reasonably
request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each
Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents of the Company
and the Guarantors and cause the Company's and the Guarantors' officers,
directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection with such
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent
to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness, subject to such
Holder entering into a customary confidentiality agreement;
(viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or
sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such
information as such Holders may reasonably request to have included
therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the "Plan
of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make all
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the
10
Company is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment;
(ix) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange or sale,
without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first
filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all
documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including
exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company and
the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder
in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto;
(xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements
(including underwriting agreements) and make such representations and
warranties (subject to the accuracy thereof) and take all such other
actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any
applicable Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be
reasonably requested by any Holder in connection with any sale or resale
pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such connection, the
Company and the Guarantors shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of
paragraphs (2) and (3), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
to be furnished) to each Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer
or upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the
case may be:
(1) a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the Company
and each Guarantor by (x) the President or any Vice President (or
person serving in a position of comparable responsibility of a limited
liability company) and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer
of the Company and such Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof,
the matters set forth in Sections 6(y), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase
Agreement and such other similar matters as such Holders may
reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer
or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors
covering matters comparable to those set forth in paragraphs (e) and
(f) of Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as
such Holder may reasonably request, and in any event including a
statement to the effect that although such counsel has not checked the
accuracy and completeness of, or otherwise verified, and is not
passing upon and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of, the statements contained in the applicable
Registration Statement, in the course of such counsel's review and
discussion of the contents of the applicable Registration Statement
with
11
certain employees of the Company and its independent accountants but
without independent verification, no facts have come to such counsel's
attention which cause such counsel to believe that the applicable
Registration Statement (other than the financial statements, notes and
schedules and other financial data and information contained therein,
as to which such counsel need not express any belief), at the time
such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
became effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in
such Registration Statement (other than the financial statements,
notes and schedules and other financial data and information contained
therein, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) as of
its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of Consummation,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation of
the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the Company's
independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set
forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(h) of the
Purchase Agreement; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance with
the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions
contained in the any agreement entered into by the Company and the
Guarantors pursuant to this clause (xi);
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the
registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling
Holders may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things
necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor
shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it
is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the
service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and
transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction
where it is not now so subject;
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities
that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted
12
Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to
register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such
names as the selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior
to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xiv) use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xii)
above;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities
not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture
with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are
in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
(xvi) otherwise use their respective commercially reasonable efforts
to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and
make generally available to its security holders with regard to any
applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated
earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be
audited) covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of
Rule 158 under the Act);
(xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for
such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA;
and execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such
changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
and
(xviii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document
filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
-----------------------
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a
"Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
-----------------
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement
until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "Recommencement
--------------
Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will
----
either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other
13
than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession which have been
replaced by the Company with more recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to
the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file
copies, then in such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such
Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of the
Suspension Notice. The time period regarding the effectiveness of such
Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall
be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days in the period from
and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to the date of
delivery of the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and the Guarantors' performance
of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and
expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities
laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the
Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses),
messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and, to the extent provided in
Section 7(b) below, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all
application and filing fees in connection with listing the Series B Notes on a
national securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the
requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent
certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the
expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to
such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of
any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors
will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities who are tendering Series A Notes in the Exchange Offer and/or selling
or reselling Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the
Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx,
unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration
Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company and the Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its directors, officers and each
Person, if any, who controls such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of
the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, (including without limitation, any
legal
14
or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
matter, including any action that could give rise to any such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto)
provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Series B
Notes or registered Series A Notes, or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based upon
information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company
by any of the Holders; and further provided that no Holder (or director, officer
or Person who controls such Holder shall be entitled to indemnification
hereunder to the extent that any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or
judgments arise with respect to (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary
prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
both (A) such untrue statement or omission (or alleged untrue statement or
omission) was corrected by any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) that had been delivered to the Holder by or in behalf of the Company
prior to the sale of Series A or B Notes to the Person asserting such untrue
statement or omission, and (B) such corrective Prospectus (or amendment or
supplement thereto) was not delivered to such Person by such Holder prior to
such sale; or (ii) any sale of Series A or B Notes by a Holder following such
Holder's receipt of a Suspension Notice and prior to the Recommencement Date.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted agrees, severally and not jointly,
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, and their
respective managers, directors and officers (or positions of comparable
authority), and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, or the Guarantors
to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the
Guarantors set forth in section (a) above, but only with reference to
information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such
Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no event shall any
Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable
or responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total amount
received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any
damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in respect
of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
-----------------
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in writing
-------------------
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the
defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but
15
may employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense
of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party
unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically
authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party
shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been
advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available
to it which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party).
In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one
action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in
addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated
in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold
harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement of any action (i)
effected with the indemnifying party's written consent or (ii) effected without
the indemnifying party's written consent if the settlement is entered into more
than thirty business days after the indemnifying party shall have received a
request from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the expense
of the indemnifying party in accordance with Section 8(a) or 8(b) of this
Agreement) and, prior to the date of such settlement, the indemnifying party
shall have failed to comply with such reimbursement request. No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect
any settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with
respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the indemnified
party is or could have been a party and indemnity or contribution may be or
could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such
settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the
indemnified party from all liability on claims that are or could have been the
subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an
admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the
indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8
is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein (and such unavailability
or insufficiency is otherwise than in accordance with the express terms of
Section 8(a) or 8(b)), then each indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying
such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the
Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable
law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative
benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the
Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other
16
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors,
on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company or such Guarantor, on the one
hand, or by the Holder, on the other hand, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any matter,
including any action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no
Holder, its directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such
Holder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess
of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with respect to the
sale or exchange of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer
Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages which such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute pursuant to this
Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A and RULE 144
The Company and each Guarantor agrees with each Holder, for so long as any
Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which
the Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or
beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale
thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities
designated by such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule
144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in
order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule
144 if the making of such filings is required for such resales to be made.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that
--------
any failure by the Company and/or the Guarantors to comply with their respective
obligations under Sections 3
17
and 4 hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers
or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be
possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event
of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief
as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's and the Guarantors'
obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof. The Company and the Guarantors
further agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a
remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor
--------------------------
will, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with
respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the
Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
Neither the Company nor any Guarantor has previously entered into any agreement
granting any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person
except pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement dated September 24, 1999 or in
favor of The 1818 Fund III, L.P. and its affiliates. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Company's and the Guarantors'
securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
----------------------
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights
of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to
such Exchange Offer.
(d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
-----------------------
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and
shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may
deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights
of Holders hereunder.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
-------
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
18
(ii) if to the Company or the Guarantors:
US Unwired Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
000 Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Sterling Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
----------------------
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment,
transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in violation of
the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any
transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set
forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
-------------
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
19
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
------------
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
----------------
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
US UNWIRED INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: President
LOUISIANA UNWIRED, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Manager
UNWIRED TELECOM CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: President
XXXXXXXXX, LUFKIN & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
FIRST UNION SECURITIES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Managing Director
BNY CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Vice President
S-1
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE OF FILING OF
A/B EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT
To: Xxxxxxxxx, Lufkin & Xxxxxxxx Securities Corporation
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx (Compliance Department)
Fax: (000) 000-0000
From: US Unwired Inc.
13 3/8% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2009
Date: ___, ___
For your information only (NO ACTION REQUIRED):
Today, ______, ____, we filed [an A/B Exchange Registration Statement/a
Shelf Registration Statement] with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We
have agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause this registration
statement to be declared effective within __ business days of the date hereof.
1
