EXHIBIT 4.5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 4, 1999
Among
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
as Issuer
and
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
XXXXXXX, XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED
XXXXXXX XXXXX BARNEY INC.
as Initial Purchasers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Definitions.....................................................................................1
2. Shelf Registration..............................................................................5
3. Additional Interest.............................................................................7
4. Registration Procedures.........................................................................9
5. Registration Expenses..........................................................................19
6. Indemnification................................................................................20
7. Rules 144 and 144A.............................................................................24
8. Underwritten Registrations.....................................................................24
9. Representations and Warranties.................................................................25
10. Miscellaneous..................................................................................27
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements............................................................27
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable
Securities............................................................................27
(c) Amendments and Waivers................................................................27
(d) Notices...............................................................................28
(e) Successors and Assigns................................................................29
(f) Counterparts..........................................................................29
(g) Headings..............................................................................29
(h) Governing Law.........................................................................29
(i) Severability..........................................................................30
(j) Securities Held by the Company or Its
Affiliates............................................................................30
(k) Third Party Beneficiaries.............................................................30
(l) Entire Agreement......................................................................30
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of
October 4, 1999, among American Tower Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, Deutsche Bank Securities
Inc., Xxxxxx Brothers Inc., Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated, Banc of America
Securities LLC, Bear, Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc., Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co., Xxxxxxx Lynch,
Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Barney Inc. (individually,
an "Initial Purchaser"; together, the "Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated September 28, 1999, between the Company and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the issuance and sale
by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of the Company's 6.25% Convertible
Notes Due 2009 ("Standard Notes") and its 2.25% Convertible Notes Due 2009
("Discount Notes" and, collectively, the "Convertible Notes"). In order to
induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company
has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for
the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees
and assigns. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Convertible Notes under the
Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Advice: See Section 4 hereof.
Agreement: See the first introductory paragraph hereto.
Amount of Registrable Securities: (a) With respect to Standard Notes
constituting Registrable Securities, their aggregate principal amount, (b) with
respect to Discount Notes constituting Registrable Securities, the aggregate
Issue Price (as defined in the Discount Indenture) of such Discount Notes plus
the accrued Original Issue Discount (as defined in the Discount Indenture)
thereon through the time of computing the Amount of Registrable Securities, (c)
with respect to Underlying Shares constituting Registrable Securities, the
aggregate number of such Underlying Shares multiplied by the Conversion Price
(as defined in the Indenture relating to the Convertible Notes upon the
conversion of which such Underlying Shares were issued) in effect at the time of
computing the Amount of Registrable Securities or, if no such Convertible Notes
are then outstanding, the last Conversion Price that was in effect under such
Indenture when any such Convertible Notes were last outstanding, and (d) with
respect to combinations thereof, the sum of (a), (b) and (c) for the relevant
Registrable Securities.
Certificate Shares: See Section 9 hereof.
Closing Date: A Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
Company: See the first introductory paragraph hereto.
Convertible Notes: See the second introductory paragraph hereto.
Damages Payment Date: See Section 3(c) hereof.
Depositary: The Depository Trust Company until a successor is appointed
by the Company.
Discount Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 4, 1999, between
the Company and The Bank of New
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York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Discount Notes are issued, as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
Discount Notes: See the second introductory paragraph hereto.
Effectiveness Date: The 150th day after the Issue Date.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promul gated thereunder.
Filing Date: The 90th day after the Issue Date.
Global Certificate: See Section 9 hereof.
Holder: Any holder of Registrable Securities.
Indemnified Person: See Section 6(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 6(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Standard Indenture or the Discount Indenture, or both,
as the context requires.
Initial Purchaser: See the first introductory paragraph hereto.
Initial Purchasers: See the first introductory paragraph hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 2(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 4(n) hereof.
Issue Date: The latest Closing Date on which the Convertible Notes were
issued and sold to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
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NASD: See Section 4(q) hereof.
Participant: See Section 6(a) hereof.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, unincorporated association, trust or joint venture, or a governmental
agency or political subdivision thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registra tion Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the second introductory paragraph hereto.
Records: See Section 4(n) hereof.
Registrable Securities: All Convertible Notes and all Underlying Shares
upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto until the
earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement covering such Convertible
Notes and Underlying Shares has been declared effective by the SEC and such
Convertible Notes and Underlying Shares have been disposed of in accordance with
such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Convertible Notes and
Underlying Shares are sold in compliance with Rule 144 or could (except with
respect to affiliates of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act)
be sold in compliance with paragraph (k) of such Rule 144, or (iii) such
Convertible Notes and any Underlying Shares cease to be outstanding.
Registration Default: See Section 3(a) hereof.
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Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company filed
with the SEC pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the
Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all material incorpo rated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration
statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b) hereof.
Standard Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of October 4, 1999, between
the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Standard
Notes are issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Standard Notes: See the second introductory paragraph hereto.
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Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Trustee: The Trustee under the Indenture.
Underlying Shares: The shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes.
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
2. Shelf Registration
(a) Shelf Registration. The Company shall as
promptly as reasonably practicable file with
the SEC a Registration Statement for an
offering to be made on a continuous basis
pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the
Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf
Registration"). The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC
the Initial Shelf Registration on or prior
to the Filing Date. The Initial Shelf
Registration shall be on Form S-3 or another
appropriate form permitting registration of
such Registrable Securities for resale by
Holders in the manner or manners designated
by them (including, without limitation, one
or more underwritten offerings). The Company
shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Securities to be included in
the Initial Shelf
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Registration or any Subsequent Shelf
Registration (as defined below). By its
execution hereof on behalf of itself and the
other Initial Purchasers, Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation also hereby waives
on its own behalf its right under the
Registration Rights Agreement, dated
February 4, 1999, between the Company and
it, to include any securities in a
Registration Statement filed pursuant to
this Agreement.
The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Initial
Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior
to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date that is 24 months
from the Issue Date (as it may be shortened pursuant to clause (i) or clause
(ii) immediately following, the "Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter period
ending when (i) all the shares of Registrable Securities covered by the Initial
Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in
the Initial Shelf Registration, (ii) the date on which all the Registrable
Securities (x) held by persons who are not affiliates of the Company may be
resold pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (y) cease to be
outstanding, or (iii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the
Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the
Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent
Shelf Registration ceases to be effective
for any reason at any time during the
Effectiveness Period (other than because of
the sale of all of the securities registered
thereunder),
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the Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness
thereof, and in any event shall within 45
days of such cessation of effectiveness
amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a
manner to obtain the withdrawal of the order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, or
file an additional "shelf" Registration
Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all
of the Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf
Registration is filed, the Company shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared
effective under the Securities Act as soon
as practicable after such filing and to keep
such Registration Statement continuously
effective for the remainder of the
Effectiveness Period. As used herein the
term "Shelf Registration" means the Initial
Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf
Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Company
shall promptly supplement and amend the
Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to
the registration form used for such Shelf
Registration, if required by the Securities
Act, or if reasonably requested by the
Holders of a majority of the Amount of
Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement or
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by any underwriter of such Registrable
Securities.
3. Additional Interest
(a) The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree
that the Holders of Convertible Notes will
suffer damages if the Company fails to
fulfill its obligations under Section 2
hereof and that it would not be feasible to
ascertain the extent of such damages with
precision. Accordingly, the Company agrees
to pay, as liquidated damages, additional
interest on the Registrable Securities
("Additional Interest") as follows if any of
the following events occur (each such event
in clauses (i) through (iii) below a
"Registration Default"):
(i) If on or prior to the Filing Date, the Initial Shelf
Registration has not been filed with the SEC;
(ii) If on or prior to the Effectiveness Date, the Initial Shelf
Registration has not been declared effective by the SEC; or
(iii) If after the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective
(A) the Initial Shelf Registration thereafter ceases to be
effective and a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering the
Registrable Securities has not become effective or (B) a Shelf
Registration or the related prospectus ceases to be usable
(except as permitted in Section 3(b) hereof) in connection
with resales of Registrable Securities during the periods
specified herein because either (1) any event occurs as a
result of which the
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related prospectus forming part of such Shelf Registration
would include any 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, or (2) it shall be necessary to
amend such Shelf Registration or supplement the related
prospectus, to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act or the respective rules thereunder.
Additional Interest shall accrue on outstanding Convertible Notes
constituting Registrable Securities over and above the interest set forth in the
title of the Convertible Notes and shall accrue on outstanding Underlying Shares
constituting Registrable Securities, in each case from and including the date on
which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on
which all such Registration Defaults have been cured, at a rate of 0.50% per
annum of the Amount of such Registrable Securities. The Company shall notify the
Trustee within one business day after each and every date on which a
Registration Default occurs.
(b) A Registration Default referred to in
Section 3(a)(iii)(B) hereof shall be deemed
not to have occurred and be continuing in
relation to the Shelf Registration or the
related prospectus if (i) such Registration
Default has occurred solely as a result of
(x) the filing of a post-effective amendment
to such Shelf Registration to incorporate
annual audited financial information with
respect to the Company where such
post-effective amendment is not yet
effective and needs to be declared effective
to permit Holders to use the related
prospectus or (y) other material events with
respect to the
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Company that would need to be described in
such Shelf Registration or the related
prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause
(y), the Company is proceeding promptly and
in good faith to amend or supplement such
Shelf Registration and related prospectus to
describe such events; provided, however,
that in any case if such Registration
Default occurs for a continuous period in
excess of 30 days, Additional Interest shall
be payable in accordance with Section 3(a)
hereof from the day such Registration
Default occurs until such Registration
Default is cured.
(c) Any amount of Additional Interest due
pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of
Section 3(a) hereof will be payable in cash
on each April 15 and October 15 (a "Damages
Payment Date") to the Holder to whom regular
interest is payable on such Damages Payment
Date with respect to Convertible Notes that
are Registrable Securities and to the Person
that is a registered Holder 15 days prior to
such Damages Payment Date with respect to
Underlying Shares that are Registrable
Securities. The amount of Additional
Interest for Registrable Securities will be
determined by multiplying the applicable
Additional Interest rate by the Amount of
such Registrable Securities on the Damages
Payment Date following such Registration
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Default in the case of the first such
payment of Additional Interest with respect
to a Registration Default (and thereafter at
the next succeeding Damages Payment Date
until the cure of such Registration
Default), multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days
such Additional Interest rate was applicable
during such period (determined on the basis
of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months), and the denominator of which is
360.
4. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 2 hereof, the Company shall effect such registrations to permit the sale
of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or
methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any
Registration Statement filed by the Company hereunder the Company shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the
Filing Date, a Registration Statement or
Registration Statements as prescribed by
Section 2 hereof, and use its reasonable
best efforts to cause each such Registration
Statement to become effective and remain
effective as provided herein; provided,
however, that the Company shall furnish to
and afford the Holders of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration
Statement, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, a reasonable
opportunity to review copies of all
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such documents (including copies of any
documents to be incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed
to be filed (in each case where possible at
least five business days prior to such
filing and where not possible as promptly as
possible). The Company shall not file any
Registration Statement or Pro spectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto if the
Holders of a majority in Amount of the
Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement, their counsel, or
the managing underwriters, if any, shall
reasonably object.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments and post-effective amendments to
each Shelf Registration, as may be necessary
to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective for the Effectiveness
Period; cause the related Prospectus to be
supplemented by any Prospectus supplement
required by applicable law, and as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule
424 (or any similar provisions then in
force) promulgated under the Securities Act;
and comply with the provisions of the Secu
rities Act and the Exchange Act applicable
to it with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented. The Company
shall be deemed not to have used its
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reasonable best efforts to keep a
Registration Statement effective during the
Effectiveness Period if it voluntarily takes
any action that would result in selling
Holders of the Registrable Securities
covered thereby not being able to sell such
Registrable Securities during that period
unless such action is required by applicable
law or unless the Company complies with this
Agreement, including without limitation the
provisions of Section 4(k) hereof and the
last paragraph of Section 4(t) hereof.
(c) Notify the selling Holders of shares of
Registrable Securities, their counsel and
the managing underwriters, if any, promptly
(but in any event within two business days),
and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when
a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed,
and, with respect to a Reg istration
Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective under the
Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon
request, obtain, at the sole expense of the
Company, one conformed copy of such
Registration Statement or post-effective
amendment including financial statements and
schedules, documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference and
exhibits), (ii) (A) of the receipt of any
written comments by the SEC
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or its staff, (B) of the request by the SEC
or its staff for amendments or supplements
to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus,
or (C) of the issuance by the SEC of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus or the initiation of
any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if
at any time when a prospectus is required by
the Securities Act to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Registrable
Securities the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in any
agreement (including any underwriting
agreement), contemplated by Section 4(m)
hereof cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (iv) of the happening of
any event, the existence of any condition or
any information becoming known that makes
any statement made in such Registration
Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference untrue in
any material respect or that requires the
making of any changes in or amendments or
supplements to such Registration Statement,
Prospectus or documents so that, in the case
of the Registration Statement, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the
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statements therein not misleading, and that
in the case of the Prospectus, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading and (v) of the
Company's determination that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement would be appropriate.
(d) Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent
the issuance of any order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
of any order preventing or suspending the
use of a Prospectus and, if any such order
is issued, to use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such
order at the earliest possible moment.
(e) If requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters (if any), or the Holders of a
majority in Amount of the Registrable
Securities being sold in connection with an
underwritten offering, (i) promptly
incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as
the managing underwriter or underwriters (if
any), such Holders or counsel for any of
them determine is reasonably necessary to be
included therein, (ii) make all required
filings of
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such prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment as soon as
reasonably practicable after the Company has
received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such prospectus supplement
or post-effective amendment and (iii)
supplement or make amendments to such
Registration Statement.
(f) Furnish to each selling Holder of
Registrable Securities and to counsel and
each managing underwriter, if any, at the
sole expense of the Company, one conformed
copy of the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements and each
post-effective amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and, if
requested, all documents incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference and all exhibits.
(g) Deliver to each selling Holder of
Registrable Securities, their respective
counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at
the sole expense of the Company, as many
copies of the Prospectus (including each
form of preliminary prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto and any
documents incorporated by reference therein
as such Persons may reasonably request; and,
subject to the second paragraph of Section
4(t) hereof, the Company hereby consents to
the use of such Prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto by each of
the
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selling Holders of Registrable Securities
and the underwriters or agents, if any, and
dealers (if any), in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable
Securities, to use its reasonable best
efforts to register or qualify, to the
extent required by applicable law, and to
cooperate with the selling Holders of
Registrable Securities, the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, and
their respective counsel in connection with
the registration or qualification (or
exemption from such registration or
qualification) of such Registrable
Securities or offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as
any selling Holder, or the managing
underwriter or underwriters reasonably
request; provided, however, that where
Registrable Securities are offered other
than through an underwritten offering, the
Company agrees to cause the Company's
counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations
and file registrations and qualifications
required to be filed pursuant to this
Section 4(h); keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom)
effective during the period such
Registration Statement
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is required to be kept effective and do any
and all other acts or things reasonably
necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the
Registrable Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be
required to qualify as a foreign corporation
or to execute a general consent to service
of process in any jurisdiction or subject
itself to taxation generally in any
jurisdiction.
(i) Cooperate with the selling Holders of
Registrable Securities and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to
facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing shares
of Registrable Securities to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive
legends and shall be in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company;
and enable such shares of Registrable
Securities to be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, or
Holders may reasonably request.
(j) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental
agencies or authorities as may be necessary
to
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enable the seller or sellers thereof or the
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to
consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities, except as may be
required solely as a consequence of the
nature of such selling Holder's business, in
which case the Company will cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the filing of such
Registration Statement and the granting of
such approvals.
(k) Upon the occurrence of any event
contemplated by paragraph 4(c)(ii)(C),
4(c)(iv) or 4(c)(v) hereof, as promptly as
practicable prepare and (subject to Section
4(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole
expense of the Company, a supplement or
post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or a supplement to the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference, or file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to
the purchasers of the Registrable Securities
being sold thereunder, any such Prospectus
will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; provided,
however, that the Company may delay
preparing, filing and distributing any such
supplement or amendment (and continue the
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suspension of the use of the Prospectus) if
the Company determines in good faith that
such supplement or amendment would, in the
reasonable judgment of the Company, (i)
interfere with or affect the negotiation or
completion of a transaction that is being
contemplated by the Company (whether or not
a final decision has been made to undertake
such transaction) or (ii) involve initial or
continuing disclosure obligations that are
not in the best interests of the Company's
shareholders at such time; provided,
further, that neither such delay nor such
suspension with respect to all matters in
clause (i) or (ii) shall extend for a period
of more than 30 days in any three-month
period or more than 90 days for all such
periods in any twelve-month period and shall
not affect the Company's obligation to pay
Additional Interest as contemplated in
Section 3.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first
Regis tration Statement relating to the
Registrable Securities, (i) provide the
Trustee with certificates for the Regis
trable Securities in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company
and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the
Registrable Securities.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering
of Registrable Securities pursuant to
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a Shelf Registration, enter into an
underwriting agreement as is customary in
underwritten offerings of securities similar
to the Registrable Securities and take all
such other actions as are reasonably
requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters; in order to expedite or
facilitate the registration or the
disposition of such Registrable Securities
and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations and warranties to, and
covenants with, the underwriters with
respect to the business of the Company and
its subsidiaries (including any acquired
business, properties or entity, if
applicable) and the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any,
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein, in each case, as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters
in underwritten offerings of securities
similar to the Registrable Securities and
confirm the same in writing if and when
requested; (ii) obtain the written opinion
of counsel to the Company and written
updates thereof in form, scope and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriter or underwriters, addressed to
the underwriters covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions requested in
underwritten offerings of securities similar
to the Registrable Securities and such other
matters as may be reasonably requested by
the managing
-22-
underwriter or underwriters; (iii) obtain
"cold comfort" letters and updates thereof
in form, scope and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters from the independent certified
public accountants of the Company (and, if
necessary, any other independent certified
public accountants of any subsidiary of the
Company or of any business acquired by the
Company for which financial statements and
financial data are, or are required to be,
included or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement), addressed to each
of the underwriters, such letters to be in
customary form and covering matters of the
type customarily covered in "cold comfort"
letters in con nection with underwritten
offerings of securities similar to the
Registrable Securities and such other
matters as reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered
into, the same shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable
than those set forth in Section 6 hereof (or
such other provisions and procedures
acceptable to Holders of a majority in
Amount of Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement and the managing
underwriter or underwriters or agents) with
respect to all parties to be indemnified
pursuant to said Section. The above shall be
done
-23-
at each closing under such underwriting
agreement, or as and to the extent required
thereunder.
(n) Make available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Securities being
sold, any underwriter participating in any
such disposition of Registrable Securities,
if any, and any attorney, accountant or
other agent retained by any such selling
Holder, or underwriter (collectively, the
"Inspectors"), at the offices where normally
kept, during reasonable business hours at
such time or times as shall be mutually
convenient for the Company and the
Inspectors as a group, all financial and
other records, pertinent corporate documents
and instruments of the Company and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records")
as shall be reasonably necessary to enable
them to exercise any applicable due
diligence responsibilities, and cause the
officers, directors and employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such
Inspector in connection with such
Registration Statement. Records that the
Company determines, in good faith, to be
confidential and any Records that it
notifies the Inspectors are confidential
shall not be disclosed by any Inspector
unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a
-24-
material misstatement or material omission
in such Registration Statement, (ii) the
release of such Records is ordered pursuant
to a subpoena or other order from a court of
competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of
such information is, in the opinion of
counsel for any Inspector, necessary or
advisable in connection with any action,
claim, suit or proceeding, directly,
involving or potentially involving such
Inspector and arising out of, based upon,
relating to, or involving this Agreement or
any transactions contemplated hereby or
arising hereunder or (iv) the information in
such Records has been made generally
available to the public other than through
the acts of such Inspector. Each selling
Holder of such Registrable Securities will
be required to agree that information
obtained by it as a result of such
inspections shall be deemed confidential and
shall not be used by it as the basis for any
market transactions in the securities of the
Company unless and until such information is
generally available to the public. Each
selling Holder of such Registrable
Securities will be required to further agree
that it will, upon learning that disclosure
of such Records is sought in a court of
competent jurisdiction, give notice to the
Company and allow the Company to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of
the Records deemed
-25-
confidential at the Company's sole expense.
(o) Provide (A) the Holders of the Registrable
Securities to be included in such
registration statement and not more than one
counsel for all the Holders of such
Registrable Securities, (B) the underwriters
(which term, for purposes of this
Registration Rights Agreement, shall include
a person deemed to be an underwriter within
the meaning of Section 2(11) of the
Securities Act), if any, thereof, (C) the
sales or placement agent, if any, thereof,
and (D) one counsel for such underwriters or
agents, reasonable opportunity to
participate in the preparation of such
registration statement, each prospectus
included therein or filed with the SEC, and
each amendment or supplement thereto.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC and make generally
available to its securityholders earning
statements satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule
158 thereunder (or any similar rule
promulgated under the Securities Act) no
later than 45 days after the end of any
12-month period (or 90 days after the end of
any 12-month period if such period is a
fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of
any fiscal quarter in which Registrable
Securities are sold to underwriters in a
firm commitment or best efforts
-26-
underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold
to underwriters in such an offering,
commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Company after the
effective date of a Registration Statement,
which statements shall cover said 12-month
periods.
(q) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable
Securities covered by any Registration
Statement and each underwriter, if any,
participating in the disposition of such
Registrable Securities and their respective
counsel in connection with any filings
required to be made with the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
"NASD"), including if the Rules of Fair
Practice and the ByLaws of the NASD or any
successor thereto, as amended from time to
time (including Schedule E thereto) so
require, engaging a "qualified independent
underwriter" ("QIU") as contemplated therein
and making Records available to such QIU as
though it were a participating underwriter
for the purposes of Section 4(n) and
otherwise applying the provisions of this
Agreement to such QIU (including
indemnification) as though it were a
participating underwriter.
(r) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under
the TIA not later than the effective date of
the first Registration Statement relating to
the Registrable Securities; and in
connection
-27-
therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
the Holders of the Registrable Securities to
effect such changes to the Indenture as may
be required for the Indenture to be so
qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable
best efforts to cause the Trustee to
execute, all documents as may be required to
effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC
to enable the Indenture to be so qualified
in a timely manner.
(s) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement, to be rated with the
appropriate rating agencies, if so requested
by the Holders of a majority in Amount of
Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement, or the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any.
(t) Use its reasonable best efforts to take all
other steps necessary or advisable to effect
the registration of the Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.
The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to
which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such
information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable
Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request to the
extent necessary or advisable to comply with the
-28-
Securities Act. The Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable
Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller as to which
any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the
Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the
information previously furnished to the Company by such seller not materially
misleading or to omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances under which they were made.
Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable Securities that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Company
of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(c)(ii)(C),
4(c)(iv) or 4(c)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition
of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or
Prospectus until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(k) hereof, or until it is advised
in writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of the applicable
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or
supplements thereto.
5. Registration Expenses
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the
performance of or compliance with this
Agreement by the Company shall be borne by
the Company whether or not a Shelf
Registration is filed or becomes effective,
including, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including,
without limitation, (A) fees with respect to
filings required to be made with the NASD in
connection with an underwritten offering and
(B) fees and expenses
-29-
of compliance with state securities or Blue
Sky laws (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
in connection with Blue Sky qualifications
of the Registrable Securities and
determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Securities for investment under
the laws of such jurisdictions as provided
in Section 4(h) hereof, in the case of
Registrable Securities), (ii) printing
expenses, including, without limitation,
expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Securities in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, by the Holders of a majority of shares
of the Registrable Securities included in
any Registration Statement, (iii) messenger,
telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Company
and fees and disbursements of special
counsel for the sellers of Registrable
Securities (subject to the provisions of
Section 5(b) hereof), (v) fees and
disbursements of all independent certified
public accountants referred to in Section
4(m)(iii) hereof (including, without
limitation, the expenses of any special
audit and "cold comfort" letters required by
or incident to such performance), (vi)
rating agency fees, (vii)
-30-
Securities Act liability insurance, if the
Company desires such insurance, (viii) fees
and expenses of all other Persons retained
by the Company, (ix) internal expenses of
the Company (including, without limitation,
all salaries and expenses of officers and
employees of the Company performing legal or
accounting duties), (x) the expense of any
annual audit, (xi) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of
the securities to be registered on any
securities exchange, if applicable, and
(xii) the expenses relating to printing,
word processing and distributing all
Registration Statements, underwriting
agreements, securities sales agreements,
indentures and any other documents necessary
in order to comply with this Agreement.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Holders of
the Registrable Securities being registered
in a Shelf Regis tration for the reasonable
fees and disbursements of not more than one
counsel (in addition to appropriate local
counsel) chosen by the Holders of a majority
in Amount of the Registrable Securities to
be included in such Registration Statement
and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
of such Holders of Registrable Securities
incurred in connection with the registration
and sale of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to any Registration Statement.
-31-
6. Indemnification
(a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder of Registrable Securities, each
Person that participates as an underwriter
or sales agent in any sale of such
Registrable Securities (each a
"Participant") against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, to
which such Participant may become subject,
under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereto or any related preliminary
prospectus or arise out of or are based upon
the omission or alleged omission to state
therein 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 will reimburse
each Purchaser for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such
Purchaser in connection with investigating
or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that the
Company will not be liable in any such case
to the extent that any such loss, claim,
-32-
damage or liability arises out of or is
based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement in or omission or alleged
omission from any of such documents in
reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by any
Participant specifically for use therein;
provided, further, that the Company will not
be liable if such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission was contained or made in any
preliminary prospectus and corrected in the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto and the Prospectus does not contain
any other untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission of a
material fact that was the subject matter of
the related proceeding and any such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense suffered
or incurred by the Participants resulted
from any action, claim or suit by any Person
who purchased Registrable Securities that is
the subject thereof from such Participant
and it is established in the related
proceeding that such Participant failed to
deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented) to such Person
with or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Registrable Securities sold to
such Person if required by applicable law,
unless such failure to deliver or provide a
copy of the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) was a result of
-33-
noncompliance by the Company with Section 4
of this Agreement.
(b) The Company may require, as a condition to
including Registrable Securities in any
Registration Statement, that the related
Participants agree severally and not jointly
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities to which the Company may become
subject, under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material
fact contained in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or any related
prospectus, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, in each case to
the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the
Company by such Participant specifically for
use therein, and will reimburse any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by the
-34-
Company in connection with investigating or
defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action as such expenses are
incurred. The liability of any Participant
under this subsection shall in no event
exceed the net proceeds received by such
Participant from sales of Registrable
Securities giving rise to such obligations.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified
party under this Section of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified
party will, if a claim in respect thereof is
to be made against the indemnifying party
under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify
the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party will not relieve it from
any liability which it may have to any
indemnified party other wise than under
subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any
such action is brought against any
indemnified party and it notifies the
indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the
extent that it may wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified,
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to such indemnified party (who
shall not, except with the consent of the
indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and after
-35-
notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to
assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying
party will not be liable to such indemnified
party under this Section for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation. No indemnifying party
shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement
of any pending or threatened action in
respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could
have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party unless such settlement
includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on any
claims that are the subject matter of such
action.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this
Section is unavailable or insufficient to
hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to in
subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on
the one hand and the Participants on the
-36-
other from the offering of the Registrable
Securities or (ii) if the allocation
provided by clause (i) above is not
permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only the relative benefits referred to in
clause (i) above but also the relative fault
of the Company on the one hand and the
Participants on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted
in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative
benefits received by the Company on the one
hand and any Participant on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as
the total net proceeds from the initial
offering of the Registrable Securities
(before deducting expenses) received by the
Company bear to the total net proceeds
received by such Participant from sales of
Registrable Securities giving rise to such
obligations. The relative fault 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 Participant and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such untrue statement or omission.
The amount paid by an indemnified
-37-
party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to in the
first sentence of this subsection (d) shall
be deemed to include any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or
claim which is the subject of this
subsection (d). Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (d), no
Participant shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which
the net proceeds received by such
Participant from sales of Registrable
Securities exceeds the amount of any damages
which such Participant 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 Participants'
obligations in this subsection (d) to
contribute are several in proportion to
their respective Amounts of Registrable
Securities registered pursuant to this
Agreement, and not joint.
-38-
(e) The obligations of the Company under this
Section shall be in addition to any
liability which the Company may otherwise
have and shall extend, upon the same terms
and conditions, to each officer, director
and partner of each Participant and to each
Person, if any, who controls any Participant
within the meaning of the Securities Act or
the Exchange Act; and the obligations of the
Participant under this Section shall be in
addition to any liability which the
respective Participants otherwise have and
shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each officer and director of
the Company and to each Person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
7. Rules 144 and 144A.
The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be
filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with
the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and such rules and
regulations and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such
reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, make
publicly available annual reports and such information, documents and other
reports of the type specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The
Company further covenants for so long as any Registrable Securities remain
outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable
Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of
such Registrable Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
-39-
Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A.
8. Underwritten Registrations.
If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration
is to be sold in an underwritten offer ing, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in Amount of such Registrable Securities included
in such offering and reasonably acceptable to the Company.
No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
9. Representations and Warranties.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Purchaser
and each of the Holders from time to time of Registrable Securities that:
(a) Each registration statement covering
Registrable Securities and each prospectus
(including any preliminary or summary
prospectus) contained therein or furnished
pursuant to this Agreement and any further
amendments or supplements to any such
registration statement or prospectus, when
it becomes effective or is filed with the
SEC, as the case may be, and, in the case of
an underwritten offering of Registrable
Securities, at the time
-40-
of the closing under the underwriting
agreement relating thereto, will conform in
all material respects to the requirements of
the Securities Act and the TIA and the rules
and regulations of the SEC and any such
registration statement and any amendment
thereto will not include any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading and any
such prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto will not include any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light
of the circumstances then existing; and at
all times subsequent to the effective time
of any such registration statement when a
prospectus would be required to be delivered
under the Securities Act, other than from
(i) such time as a notice has been given to
Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant
to the last paragraph of Section 4(t) or
pursuant to Section 4(k) hereof until (ii)
such time as the Company furnishes an
amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant
to Section 4(k) hereof or otherwise gives an
Advice, each such registration statement,
and each prospectus (including any summary
prospectus) con tained therein or furnished
pursuant to Section 4(k) or Section 4(g)
hereof, as then
-41-
amended or supplemented, will conform in all
material respects to the requirements of the
Securities Act and the TIA and the rules and
regulations of the Commission and will not
include any untrue statement of any material
fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not
misleading in the light of the circumstances
then existing; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty does not apply
to any statements or omissions from a
registration statement or prospectus
(including any preliminary or summary
prospectus) based upon written information
furnished to the Company by any underwriter,
sales agent or Holder specifically for use
therein.
(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in
any prospectus referred to in Section 4(a)
hereof, when they become or became effective
or are or were filed with the SEC, as the
case may be, will conform or conformed in
all material respects to the requirements of
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
applicable, and none of such documents will
include or included any untrue statement of
a material fact or will omit or omitted to
state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided,
however, that this
-42-
representation and warranty does not apply
to any statements or omissions from a
registration statement or the prospectus
(including any preliminary or summary
prospectus) based upon written information
furnished to the Company by any underwriter,
sales agent or Holder specifically for use
therein.
(c) The issuance and sale of the Registrable
Securities did not and will not, and the
execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not,
result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms and provisions of, or constitute a
default under, any statute, rule,
regulation, order or policy of any
governmental agency or body or any court,
domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction
over the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company or any of their properties, the
Credit Agreements (as defined in the
Purchase Agreement) or any other agreement
or instrument to which the Company or any
such subsidiary is a party or by which the
Company or any such subsidiary is bound or
to which the Company or any such subsidiary
has agreed to become bound, or to which any
of the properties of the Company or any such
subsidiary is subject, or the charter or
by-laws (or other constituent document) of
the Company or any such subsidiary.
-43-
10. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has
not, as of the date hereof, and the Company
shall not, after the date of this Agreement,
enter into any agreement with respect to any
of its securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders of
Registrable Securities in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof. The Company has not entered and will
not enter into any agreement with respect to
any of its securities that will grant to any
Person piggyback registration rights with
respect to a Registration Statement, except
to the extent any existing right has
heretofore been waived.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable
Securities. The Company shall not, directly
or indirectly, take any action with respect
to the Registrable Securities as a class
that would adversely affect the ability of
the Holders of Registrable Securities to
include such Registrable Securities in a
registration undertaken pursuant to this
Agreement.
-44-
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of
this Agreement may not be amended, modified
or supplemented, and waivers or consents to
departures from the provisions hereof may
not be given, otherwise than with the prior
written consent of the Company and the
Holders of not less than a majority in
Amount of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that Section
6 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended,
modified or supplemented without the prior
written consent of the Company and each
Holder (including, in the case of an
amendment, modification or supplement of
Section 6, any person who was a Holder of
Registrable Securities, disposed of pursuant
to any Registration Statement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to depart from the provisions hereof
with respect to a matter that relates
exclusively to the rights of Holders of
Registrable Securities whose securities are
being sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement and that does not directly or
indirectly affect, impair, limit or
compromise the rights of other Holders of
Registrable Securities may be given by
Holders of at least a
-45-
majority in Amount of the Registrable
Securities being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement;
provided, however, that the provisions of
this sentence may not be amended, modified
or supplemented except in accordance with
the provisions of the immediately preceding
sentence.
(d) Notices. All notices and other
communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made in writing by
hand-delivery, registered first-class mail,
next-day air courier or facsimile:
(1) if to a Holder of the Registrable Securities, at the most current
address of such Holder on the Security Register (as defined in the Indenture),
in the case of Convertible Notes, and the stock ledger of the Company, in the
case of Class A Common Stock, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
Purchasers as follows:
-46-
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
XXXXXXX, XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED
XXXXXXX XXXXX BARNEY INC.
c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Eleven Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Investment Banking Department
Transactions Advisory Group
with a copy to:
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
(2) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the addresses specified in Section
10(d)(1);
(3) if to the Company, at the addresses as follows:
American Tower Corporation
000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with copies to:
Xxxxxxxx & Worcester LLP
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
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All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the successors and assigns of each of the
parties hereto, including the Holders;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall
not inure to the benefit of or be binding
upon a successor or assign of a Holder
unless and except to the extent such
successor or assign holds Registrable
Securities.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts and by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall
not limit or otherwise affect the meaning
hereof.
(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS
APPLIED TO
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CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE
PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision,
covenant or restriction of this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable,
the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated, and the parties hereto shall
use their best efforts to find and employ an
alternative means to achieve the same or
substantially the same result as that
contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby
stipulated and declared to be the intention
of the parties that they would have executed
the remaining terms, provisions, covenants
and restrictions without including any of
such that may be hereafter declared invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) Securities Held by the Company or Its
Affiliates. Whenever the consent or approval
of Holders of a specified percentage in
Amount of Registrable Securities is required
-49-
hereunder, Registrable Securities held by
the Company or its affiliates (as such term
is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) shall not be counted in determining
whether such consent or approval was given
by the Holders of such required percentage.
(k) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of
Registrable Securities are intended third
party beneficiaries of this Agreement and
this Agreement may be enforced by such
Persons.
(l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together
with the Purchase Agreement and the
Indenture, is intended by the parties as a
final and exclusive statement of the
agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject matter
contained herein and therein and any and all
prior oral or written agreements,
representations, or warranties, contracts,
understandings, correspondence,
conversations and memoranda between the
Initial Purchasers on the one hand and the
Company on the other, or between or among
any agents, representatives, parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in
interest or successors in interest with
respect to the subject matter hereof and
thereof are merged herein and replaced
hereby.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Chief Financial Officer
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
CORPORATION
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
XXXXXXX, XXXXX & CO.
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX &
XXXXX INCORPORATED
XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX INC.
By: CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Managing Director
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