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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 1, 1997
By and Among
STANDARD COMMERCIAL TOBACCO CO., INC.
as Issuer
and
STANDARD COMMERCIAL CORPORATION (THE "PARENT")
and
STANDARD WOOL, INC. (THE "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR")
as Guarantors
and
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
and
WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC.
as Initial Purchasers
8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2005
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Definitions.............................................................1
2. Exchange Offer..........................................................5
3. Shelf Registration......................................................9
4. Additional Interest....................................................11
5. Registration Procedures................................................13
6. Registration Expenses..................................................24
7. Indemnification........................................................25
8. Rules 144 and 144A.....................................................29
9. Underwritten Registrations.............................................30
10. Miscellaneous.........................................................30
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements..................................30
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes.....................30
(c) Amendments and Waivers......................................30
(d) Notices.....................................................31
(e) Successors and Assigns......................................32
(f) Release of Guarantors.......................................32
(g) Counterparts................................................33
(h) Headings....................................................33
(i) GOVERNING LAW...............................................33
(j) Severability................................................33
(k) Securities Held by the Issuer or Its Affiliates.............33
(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries...................................33
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is dated
as of August 1, 1997, by and among STANDARD COMMERCIAL TOBACCO CO., INC., a
North Carolina corporation (the "Issuer"), as issuer, STANDARD COMMERCIAL
CORPORATION (the "Parent") and STANDARD WOOL, INC. (the "Subsidiary Guarantor"
and together with the Parent, the "Guarantors") as guarantors, and BT SECURITIES
CORPORATION and WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC., as initial purchasers (the
"Initial Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of July 25, 1997, by and among the Issuer, the Guarantors
and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the
sale by the Issuer to the Initial Purchasers of $115,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Issuer's 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2005 (the "Notes"), guaranteed on
a senior basis by each of the Guarantors. The Guarantee of the Parent will be
secured by all of the outstanding capital stock of the Issuer and the Subsidiary
Guarantor. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase
Agreement, the Issuer and the Guarantors have agreed to provide the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and
any subsequent holder or holders of the Notes. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase
the 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 4 hereof.
Advice: See Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Applicable Period: See Section 2 hereof.
Effectiveness Date: The 120th day after the Issue Date;
provided, however, that with respect to any Shelf Regis-
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tration, the Effectiveness Date shall be the 60th day after the Filing Date with
respect thereto.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3 hereof.
Event Date: See Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2 hereof.
Filing Date: (A) If no Registration Statement has been filed
by the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement, the 45th day after the Issue Date; and
(B) in each other case (which may be applicable notwithstanding the consummation
of the Exchange Offer), the 30th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice.
Guarantors: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable
Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of August 1, 1997, by and
among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Crestar Bank, as trustee, pursuant to which
the Notes are being issued, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 5(o) hereof.
Issue Date: August 1, 1997, the date of original issuance of
the Notes.
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Issuer: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(t) hereof.
Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof.
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2 hereof.
Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership,
joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business
association, firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2 hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration
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 and any term sheet filed pursuant
to Rule 434 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 introductory paragraphs hereof.
Records: See Section 5(o) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon its original issuance and at
all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv)
hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto
and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect
to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC and such Note,
Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such
Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or
Exchange
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Notes that may be resold without restriction under state and federal
securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or (iv) such
Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, may be resold
without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the
Issuer and the Guarantors that covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or
the Private Exchange Notes filed with the SEC under the Securities Act,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as
such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of the 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 Notice: See Section 2 hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if
any) under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes
(if any).
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A
registration in which securities of the Issuer, guaranteed by the Guarantors,
are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) The Issuer shall file with the SEC, no later than the
Filing Date, a Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration
Statement") on an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered
offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes
for a like aggregate principal amount of notes (the "Exchange Notes") of the
Issuer (guaranteed by the Guarantors) that are identical in all material
respects to the Notes except that the Exchange Notes (and the Guarantors'
guarantees thereof) shall contain no restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange
Offer shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under
the Exchange Act and other applicable law. The Issuer shall use its best efforts
to (x) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective
under the Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the
Exchange Offer open for at least 30 days (or longer if required by applicable
law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and
(z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 30th day following the date
on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the
SEC. If, after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is initially declared
effective by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes
thereunder is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or
requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for
purposes of this Agreement.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required, as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to
represent to the Issuer in writing (which may be contained in the applicable
letter of transmittal) that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the
consummation of the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no ar-
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rangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of
the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, and
that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Issuer within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with
this Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply,
mutatis mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private
Exchange Notes, Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and
Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuer
shall have no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than
Private Exchange Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to
which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuer shall include within the Prospectus contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of
Distribution," reasonably acceptable to the Holders, which shall contain a
summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the
SEC with respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that
is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of
Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a
"Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been
publicly disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies
represent the prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by
applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all
Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act,
including, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the
SEC, all Participating Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the
means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in
compliance with the Securities Act.
The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the
Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully
delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with applica-
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ble law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes covered thereby;
provided, however, that such period shall not exceed 180 days after such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective (or such longer
period if extended pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the
"Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Holder
holds any Notes acquired by it that have, or that are reasonably likely to be
determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial
distribution, or any Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange
Offer, the Issuer upon the request of any such Holder shall simultaneously with
the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to
any such Holder, in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by any
such Holder, a like principal amount of notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") of
the Issuer that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Notes and
shall be guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Private Exchange Notes shall be
issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes and bear the same
CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes
will accrue from (A) the later of (i) the last interest payment date on which
interest was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or (ii) if the
Notes are surrendered for exchange on a date subsequent to the record date for
an interest payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as
to which interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment or (B) if no
interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of the original issuance of
the Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder
entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus
forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together
with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30
days after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to
Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);
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(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the
Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any
time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last
business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects
with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer
and the Private Exchange, if any, the Issuer shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes
validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and the Private Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all
Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver
promptly to each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of
such Holder so accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be
subject to any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange, as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuer to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuer and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuer deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be
issued under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material
respects to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under
the TIA or is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange
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Notes shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the
Indenture. The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange
Notes, the Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together
on all matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private
Exchange Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently
prevailing interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuer is not permitted
to effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within
165 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so
requests in writing to the Issuer within 60 days after the consummation of the
Exchange Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the
Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the
exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities
laws (other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of the
Issuer or the Guarantors within the meaning of the Securities Act), then in the
case of each of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, the Issuer
shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof
(the "Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3
hereof.
3. Shelf Registration
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuer shall 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 Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuer shall use its best
efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or before the
applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or
another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for
resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The Issuer shall not
permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in the
Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined
below).
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The Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause the Initial
Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior
to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration
continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date which is two
years from the Effectiveness Date, subject to extension pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the "Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter
period ending when (i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf
Registration have been sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the
Initial Shelf Registration or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all
of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared
effective under the Securities Act; provided, however, that the Effectiveness
Period in respect of the Initial Shelf Registration shall be extended to the
extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus
delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise
provided herein.
(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), the Issuer shall use its
best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 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 Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuer
shall use its 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 Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for
a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the
aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used
herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and
any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuer shall promptly
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if re-
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quired by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration
form used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if
reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any
underwriter of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuer and the Initial Purchasers agree that the
Holders will suffer damages if the Issuer fails to fulfill its obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuer agrees to pay, as
liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes ("Additional Interest")
under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall
be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
nor the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or prior to the
applicable Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuer has
consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuer is
required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf Registration is
not filed on or prior to the Filing Date applicable thereto, then,
commencing on the day after any such Filing Date, Additional Interest
shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50%
per annum for the first 90 days immediately following each such Filing
Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional
0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective by the SEC on
or prior to the relevant Effectiveness Date or (B) notwithstanding that
the Issuer has consummated or will consummate the Exchange Offer, the
Issuer is required to file a Shelf Registration and such Shelf
Registration is not declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the
Effectiveness Date in respect of such Shelf Registration, then,
commencing on the day after such Effectiveness Date, Additional
Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the Notes at a rate of
0.50% per annum for the first 90 days immediately following the day
after such Effectiveness Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall
increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each
subsequent 90-day period; or
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(iii) if (A) the Issuer has not exchanged Exchange Notes for
all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the 45th day after the date on which the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement relating thereto was declared effective or
(B) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and
such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the
first 90 days commencing on the (x) 46th day after such effective date,
in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases
to be effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest
rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning
of each such subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not exceed
at any one time in the aggregate 2.0% per annum; provided, further, however,
that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement
or the applicable Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the case of
clause (i) above of this Section 4), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as
required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii) of this Section 4), or (3) upon
the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the
case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4), or upon the effectiveness of the
applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain effective (in
the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in
respect of which such events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant
subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuer shall notify the Trustee within three business
days after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section
4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each February 1 and August 1 (to the
holders of record on the January 15 and July 15 immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Ad-
ditional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Ad-
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ditional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined
on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months
and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days
elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement
pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuer 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 Issuer hereunder the
Issuer shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable
Filing Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as
prescribed by Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use its best efforts to cause
each such Registration Statement to become effective and remain
effective as provided herein; provided, however, that, if (1) such
filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section
2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the
Issuer shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all
such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in
each case at least five days prior to such filing, or such later date
as is reasonable under the circumstances). The Issuer shall not file
any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement,
or any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, 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
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Statement or Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as the case may be,
as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously
effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the
case may be; 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 Securities Act and the Exchange Act
applicable to each of them with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in
such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent
resale of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer
covered by any such Prospectus. The Issuer shall be deemed not to have
used its best efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective during
the Effective Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
relating thereto if the Issuer voluntarily takes any action that would
result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered thereby or
Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being
able to sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that
period unless such action is required by applicable law or permitted by
this Agreement.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period relating thereto from whom the Company has received written
notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Exchange
Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within one
day), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and,
with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment, when the same has become effective under the Securities Act
(including in such notice a written statement that any Holder may, upon
request, obtain, at the sole expense of the Issuer, one conformed copy
of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment including
financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to
be in-
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corporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC
of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
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 Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by Participating
Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuer
contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (iv) of the receipt by the Issuer of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation
or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) 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 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 light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the Issuer's determination that
a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be
appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, use its 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
-16-
or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of
any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any
such order is issued, to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal
of any such order at the earliest possible moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and
if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes being sold in connection with an underwritten offering or any
Participating Broker-Dealer, (i) as promptly as practicable incorporate
in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information
as the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, any
Participating Broker-Dealer or counsel for any of them reasonably
request to be included therein, (ii) make all required filings of such
prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as
practicable after the Issuer 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) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to each
such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to their
respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole
expense of the Issuer, 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 thereto.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes, or each
such
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Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their respective
counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the
Issuer, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including
each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement
thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as such
Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of
this Section 5, the Issuer hereby consents to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents, if
any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the offering and sale of
the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating
Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or
qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, 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
Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder,
Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or
underwriters reasonably request in writing; provided, however, that
where Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or
Registrable Notes are offered other than through an underwritten
offering, the Issuer agrees to cause its counsel to perform Blue Sky
investigations and file registrations and qualifications required to be
filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such
Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and
all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable
the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by
Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Issuer
shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any
-18-
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action
that would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to
taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes
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 Registrable Notes to be in such denominations
and registered in such names as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved
by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably
necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature
of such selling Holder's business, in which case the Issuer will
cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing of such
Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and
(subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense
of the Issuer, 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 Notes being sold
thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating
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Broker-Dealer, 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 light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall not be required to
amend or supplement a Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or
any document incorporated therein by reference, in the event that, and
for a period not to exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any calendar year
if, (i) an event occurs and is continuing as a result of which the
Shelf Registration would, in the Issuer's good faith judgment, contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit 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 (ii) (a)
the Issuer determines in its good faith judgment that the disclosure of
such event at such time would have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations or prospects of the Issuer or (b) the disclosure
otherwise relates to a pending material business transaction that has
not yet been publicly disclosed.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration
Statement relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee
with certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP
number for the Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of
Registrable Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an
underwriting agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Issuer 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 Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters
with respect to the business of the Issuer, the Parent and any of the
subsidiaries of the Issuer or Parent (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 debt
securities similar to
-20-
the Notes, and confirm the same in writing if and when requested in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; (ii) obtain
the written opinions of counsel to the Issuer 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 reasonably
requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii)
use its best efforts to obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent public
accountants of the Issuer (and, if necessary, any other independent
public accountants of the Parent, the Subsidiary Guarantor and any
subsidiary of the Issuer or Parent or of any business acquired by the
Issuer, the Parent or the Subsidiary Guarantor 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 connection with underwritten offerings of debt securities
similar to the Notes and such other matters as reasonably requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters as permitted by the Statement
on Auditing Standards No. 72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is
entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and
procedures no less favorable to the sellers and underwriters, if any,
than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and
procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement and
the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any). The above
shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, make available for inspection by any selling Holder of such
Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer,
as the case may be, any underwriter par-
-21-
ticipating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and
any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling
Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or
underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where
normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and
other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the
Issuer, the Parent and any of the subsidiaries of either the Issuer or
the Parent (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
each of the Issuer, the Parent and any of their respective subsidiaries
to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in
connection with such Registration Statement and Prospectus. Each
Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records
confidential and that it will not disclose any of the Records that the
Issuer determines, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the
Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of
such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a material misstatement
or material omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (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 necessary, in the opinion of counsel for any Inspector,
in connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or
indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and
arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or
the Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby or arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in
such Records has been made generally available to the public; provided,
however, that prior notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to
the Issuer of the potential disclosure of any information by such
Inspector pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence to
permit the Issuer to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions
of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such actions
as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such
information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not
inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and
interests of the Holder or any Inspector.
-22-
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or
the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the
trust indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may
be, to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of
the first Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes;
and in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such
indenture and the Holders of the Registrable Notes, to effect such
changes to such 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 best efforts to cause such 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 such indenture
to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earnings
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 60 days after the end of any fiscal
quarter (or 120 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 Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm
commitment or best efforts 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 Issuer after the effective date of a
Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month
periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private
Exchange, obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, in a form
customary for underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for
the benefit of all Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the
Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, that the
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and the
related indenture constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of
the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its
respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the
Issuer (or to such other Person as di-
-23-
rected by the Issuer) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuer shall xxxx, or cause to
be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are
being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable
Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.
(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by
any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating
in the disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective
counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(t) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably
necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes and/or
Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated
hereby.
If the Issuer is not required to file periodic reports under
the Exchange Act because the Parent is filing such reports, then, where
appropriate, references hereunder to the Issuer shall mean the Parent.
The Issuer may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to
which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuer such
information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes
as the Issuer may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Issuer may exclude
from such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such
seller 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 Issuer all information required to be
disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuer by
such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be, that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the happening of
any event of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or
5(c)(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or
Exchange Notes to be
-24-
sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until
such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until
it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Issuer that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments
or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuer shall give any such notice,
each of the Effectiveness Period and the Applicable Period shall be extended by
the number of days during such periods from and including the date of the giving
of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k)
hereof or (y) the Advice.
6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Issuer shall be borne by the Issuer
whether or not the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf
Registration is filed or becomes effective or the Exchange Offer is consummated,
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
of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky
qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of
the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under
the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are
located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h)
hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing
expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes 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 in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable
Notes included in any Registration Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the
Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses, (iv) fees and disburse-
-25-
ments of counsel for the Issuer and reasonable fees and disbursements of one
special counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive of any
counsel retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of
all independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii)
hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and
"cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi)
Securities Act liability insurance, if the Issuer desires such insurance, (vii)
fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuer, (viii) internal
expenses of the Issuer (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses
of officers and employees of the Issuer performing legal or accounting duties),
(ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) any fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if
applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and
distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures
and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
7. Indemnification
(a) The Issuer and the Guarantors agree, jointly and
severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and
each Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable
Period, the officers, directors, employees and agents of each such Person, and
each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the meaning of either
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a
"Participant"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, judgments,
liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable legal
fees and other expenses actually incurred in connection with any suit, action or
proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented if the Issuer shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by, arising out of or based
upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of
the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are
caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
-26-
or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to
any Participant furnished to the Issuer in writing by such Participant expressly
for use therein.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, its directors, its officers and each
Person who controls the Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent (but on a
several, and not joint, basis) as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuer to
each Participant, but only with reference to information relating to such
Participant furnished to the Issuer in writing by such Participant expressly for
use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
thereto, or any preliminary prospectus. The liability of any Participant under
this paragraph shall in no event exceed the proceeds received by such
Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to
such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any
governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or
asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to either of the two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified
Person") shall promptly notify the Persons against whom such indemnity may be
sought (the "Indemnifying Persons") in writing, and the Indemnifying Persons,
upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and
any others the Indemnifying Persons may reasonably designate in such proceeding
and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel
related to such proceeding; provided, however, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Persons shall not relieve any of them of any obligation or
liability which any of them may have hereunder or otherwise. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Persons and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Persons
shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in
any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both any
Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person or any affiliate thereof and
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that,
unless there exists a con-
-27-
flict among Indemnified Persons, the Indemnifying Persons shall not, in
connection with such proceeding or separate but substantially similar related
proceeding in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations,
be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate
firm for the Participants and such control Persons of Participants shall be
designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of
Registrable Notes and Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Issuer, and any such separate firm for the Issuer,
its directors, its officers and such control Persons of the Issuer shall be
designated in writing by the Issuer and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Holders.
The Indemnifying Persons shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for
which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Agreement, each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is
or could have been a party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by
such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional
written release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are
the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as
to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such
Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and
(b) of this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or insufficient to hold
harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such
paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by
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such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other from the offering of the Notes or
(ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by
applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of
the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or
Persons on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged
statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Issuer on the
one hand and the Participants on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of discounts and
commissions but before deducting expenses) of the Notes received by the Issuer
bears to the total proceeds received by such Participant from the sale of
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in each case as set
forth in the table on the cover page of the Offering Memorandum in respect of
the sale of the Notes. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Issuer on the one hand or such
Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the other,
the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other equitable
considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually
incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, in no event shall a Participant be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which proceeds received by such Participant from
sales of Reg-
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istrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any
damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay or has paid by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning
of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for
which an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under
this Section 7 shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party
as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred. The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and the
representations and warranties of the Issuer set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person who controls a
Holder, the Issuer, its directors, officers, employees or agents or any person
controlling the Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in
this Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying
Persons may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rules 144 and 144A
The Issuer covenants and agrees 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,
if at any time the Issuer is not required to file such reports, such Issuer
will, upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes,
make available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act. The Issuer further covenants and agrees, for so long
as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding that it will take such further
action as any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request, all to the
extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable
Notes without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
as such Rules may be amended from time to
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time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
9. Underwritten Registrations
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf
Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, 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 aggregate principal amount of such
Registrable Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Issuer.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any
underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such
Holder's Registrable Notes 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.
10. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuer has not, as of the
date hereof, and the Issuer 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 Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. 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 Issuer's other issued and outstanding
securities under any such agreements. The Issuer has not entered and will not
enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities which will grant
to any Person piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration
Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuer shall
not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Notes as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken
pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement
may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to
departures from the provisions hereof
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may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of (I) the
Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, and (II)(A) the Holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes
and (B) in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating
Broker-Dealers, the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all
Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section
10(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written
consent of each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any
person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration
Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification or supplement.
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 Notes 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 Notes may be
given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any
Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder
or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the
records of the registrar under the Indenture with a copy in like manner
to the Initial Purchasers as follows:
BT Securities Corporation
One Bankers Trust Plaza
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Finance
with a copy to:
-00-
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address
specified in Section 10(d)(1);
(iii) if to the Issuer or any of the Guarantors, at the
address as follows:
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
with a copy to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P.
0000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
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.
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 and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers.
(f) Release of Guarantors. If any Guarantor is released from
its obligations under the Indenture in accordance with the terms thereof, then
such Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder.
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(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, AS
APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF
NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(j) 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.
(k) Securities Held by the Issuer or Its Affiliates. Whenever
the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable
Notes is required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuer 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.
(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Notes
and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third- party beneficiaries of this
Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
STANDARD COMMERCIAL TOBACCO CO., INC.
By: /s/Hampton X. Xxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------
Name: Hampton X. Xxxxx, Xx.
Title: Vice President
STANDARD COMMERCIAL CORPORATION,
as Guarantor
By: /s/X. X. Xxxx
-----------------------
Name: X.X. Xxxx
Title: Vice President and Secretary
STANDARD WOOL, INC.,
as Guarantor
By: /s/Xxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
Title: Secretary
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION,
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
-------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
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WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC.,
as Initial Purchaser
By: /s/R. Xxxxxx Xxxxx IV
-----------------------
Name: R. Xxxxxx Xxxxx IV
Title: Managing Director
