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BRASIL TELECOM S.A.
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
As Depositary,
AND
THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED UNDER
THE TERMS OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2001
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Amendment No. 1
to
Deposit Agreement
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Dated as of May 18, 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS....................................................................2
SECTION 1.01. Definitions...............................................2
SECTION 1.02. Effective Date............................................2
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT................................................2
SECTION 2.01. Deposit Agreement.........................................2
SECTION 2.02. Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial
Owners....................................................3
SECTION 2.03. Direct Registration System/Change in Shares to ADS
Ratio.....................................................3
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR..................................................7
SECTION 3.01. ADR Amendment.............................................7
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................9
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties............................9
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................10
SECTION 5.01. New ADRs.................................................10
SECTION 5.02. Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs...................10
SECTION 5.03. Indemnification..........................................10
SECTION 5.04. Ratification.............................................10
SECTION 5.05. Governing Law............................................11
SECTION 5.06. Counterparts.............................................11
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF RECEIPT..............................................................A-1
EXHIBIT B
NOTICE TO HOLDERS............................................................B-1
i
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 18, 2007, (the
"Amendment"), by and among (i) Brasil Telecom S.A., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil, (the "Company"), (ii)
Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the
United States of America (the "Depositary"), and (iii) all Holders and
Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares evidenced by
American Depositary Receipts issued and outstanding under the Deposit Agreement,
dated as of November 16, 2001.
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary entered into that certain Deposit
Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2001 (the "Deposit Agreement"), for the
creation of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") representing the Shares (as
defined in the Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and
delivery of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") in respect of the American
Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the ADSs are listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") and the NYSE requires that securities listed on the NYSE become
eligible for the Direct Registration System (the "DRS"); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to change the Shares-to-ADS ratio from 3,000
Shares to one (1) ADS to three (3) Shares to one (1) ADS in connection with
consolidation of its Shares;
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary desire to (i) amend the ADRs
currently outstanding, the form of ADR annexed to the Deposit Agreement as
Exhibit A thereto to make the ADSs eligible for the DRS, (ii) amend the Deposit
Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding and the form of ADR annexed to the
Deposit Agreement as Exhibit A thereto to reflect the change in Shares-to-ADS
ratio, and (iii) give notice thereof to all Holders (as defined in the Deposit
Agreement) of ADSs.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary
hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding and
the form of ADR annexed as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. Unless otherwise specified in this Amendment,
all capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein shall have the meanings
given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.02. Effective Date. The term "Effective Date" shall mean the
date upon which the applicable Post-Effective Amendment to F-6 Registration
Statement pursuant to which a form of this Amendment is declared effective with
the Commission. After the Effective Date, the Deposit Agreement shall be
referred to as the Deposit Agreement by and among the Company, the Depositary
and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares issued
thereunder (without reference to the need for ADSs to be evidenced by ADRs).
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01. Deposit Agreement. All references in the Deposit Agreement
to the term "Deposit Agreement" shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to the
Deposit Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2001, as amended by this Amendment
and as further amended and supplemented from time to time after the Effective
Date in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
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SECTION 2.02. Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners.
From and after the Effective Date, the amendments to the Deposit Agreement
effected hereby shall be binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs
issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date and on all Holders and
Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein, in the Deposit Agreement or in any ADR, from and
after the Effective Date any reference in the Deposit Agreement, any ADR or the
form of ADR attached to the Deposit Agreement to Holders and Beneficial Owners
of Receipts, ADRs or American Depositary Receipts shall include, unless a
reasonable interpretation of the context otherwise mandates, Holders and
Beneficial Owners of ADSs.
SECTION 2.03. Direct Registration System/Change in Shares to ADS Ratio. In
order to make the ADSs eligible for the DRS and to reflect the change in
Shares-to-ADS ratio, the Deposit Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective
Date by:
(a) deleting Section 1.3 in its entirety and inserting the following in
its stead:
"Section 1.3 "American Depositary Receipt(s)", "ADR(s)" and
"Receipt(s)" shall mean any series of the certificate(s) issued by the
Depositary to evidence the American Depositary Shares issued under the
terms of this Deposit Agreement in the form of Certificated ADS(s), as
such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
provisions of this Deposit Agreement. A Receipt may evidence any number of
ADSs and may, in the case of ADSs held through a central depository such
as DTC, be in the form of a "Balance Certificate.""
(b) deleting Section 1.4 in its entirety and inserting the following in
its stead:
"Section 1.4 "American Depositary Share(s)" and "ADS(s)" shall mean
the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities (as hereinafter
defined) granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and, if issued as
Certificated ADS(s) (as hereinafter defined), the American Depositary
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Receipt(s) issued hereunder to evidence such ADSs. ADS(s) may be issued
under the terms of this Deposit Agreement in the form of (a) Certificated
ADS(s), in which case the ADS(s) are to be evidenced by ADR(s), or (b)
Uncertificated ADS(s) (as hereinafter defined), in which case the ADS(s)
are not to be evidenced by ADR(s) but are reflected on the direct
registration system maintained by the Depositary for such purposes under
the terms of Section 2.13. Unless otherwise specified in this Deposit
Agreement or in any ADR, or unless the context otherwise requires, any
reference to ADS(s) shall include Certificated ADS(s) and Uncertificated
ADS(s), individually or collectively, as the context may require. Each ADS
shall represent three (3) Shares, until there shall occur a distribution
upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 or a change in
Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.10 with respect to which
additional ADSs are not issued, and thereafter each ADS shall represent
the Shares or Deposited Securities determined in accordance with the terms
of such Sections."
(c) adding the following to the end of Section 1.22 thereof:
"Any reference to Holders of ADR(s) or ADS(s) in this Deposit
Agreement shall, in the context of the Uncertificated ADSs, refer to the
person(s) in whose name the Uncertificated ADSs are registered on the
books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose."
(d) adding the following new Section 1.35:
"Section 1.35 "Certificated ADS(s)" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.13."
(e) adding the following as a new Section 1.36:
"Section 1.36 "Uncertificated ADS(s)" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.13."
(f) deleting the first sentence of Section 2.2(a) thereof in its entirety
and inserting the following in its stead:
"Certificated ADSs shall be evidenced by definitive Receipts which
shall be engraved, printed, lithographed or produced in such other manner
as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Depositary."
(g) deleting the first sentence of Section 2.2(c) thereof in its entirety
and inserting the following in its stead:
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"Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the Receipt,
title to a Receipt (and to each Certificated ADS evidenced thereby) shall
be transferable upon the same terms as a certificated security under the
laws of the State of New York, provided that, in the case of Certificated
ADSs, such Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by
properly executed instruments of transfer."
(h) deleting the second sentence of Section 2.2(d) thereof in its entirety
and inserting the following in its stead:
"Unless issued by the Depositary as Uncertificated ADSs, a single
ADR in the form of a "Balance Certificate" will evidence the ADSs held
through DTC and will be registered in the name of the nominee for DTC
(currently "Cede & Co.") and will provide that it represents the aggregate
amount of ADSs from time to time indicated in the records of the
Depositary as being issued hereunder and that the aggregate amount of ADSs
represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased by
making adjustments on such records of the Depositary and of DTC or its
nominee as hereinafter provided."
(i) adding the following new Section 2.13:
"Section 2.13 Certificated/Uncertificated ADSs. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, at any time
and from time to time, issue ADSs that are not evidenced by ADRs (such
ADSs, the "Uncertificated ADS(s)" and the ADS(s) evidenced by ADR(s), the
"Certificated ADS(s)"). When issuing and maintaining Uncertificated ADS(s)
under this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall at all times be subject
to (a) the standards applicable to registrars and transfer agents
maintaining direct registration systems for equity securities in New York
and issuing uncertificated securities under New York law, and (b) the
terms of New York law applicable to uncertificated equity securities.
Uncertificated ADSs shall not be represented by any instruments but shall
be evidenced by registration in the books of the Depositary maintained for
such purpose. Holders of Uncertificated ADSs, that are not subject to any
registered pledges, liens, restrictions or adverse claims of which the
Depositary has written notice at such time, shall at all times have the
right to exchange the Uncertificated ADS(s) for Certificated ADS(s) of the
same type and class, subject in each case to applicable laws and any rules
and regulations the Depositary may have established in respect of the
Uncertificated ADSs. Holders of Certificated ADSs shall, if the Depositary
5
maintains a direct registration system for the ADSs, have the right to
exchange the Certificated ADSs for Uncertificated ADSs upon (i) the due
surrender of the Certificated ADS(s) to the Depositary for such purpose
and (ii) the presentation of a written request to that effect to the
Depositary, subject in each case to (w) all liens and restrictions noted
on the ADR evidencing the Certificated ADS(s) and all adverse claims of
which the Depositary then has written notice, (x) the terms of this
Deposit Agreement and the rules and regulations that the Depositary may
establish for such purposes hereunder, (y) applicable law, and (z) payment
of the Depositary fees and expenses applicable to such exchange of
Certificated ADS(s) for Uncertificated ADS(s). Uncertificated ADSs shall
in all material respects be identical to Certificated ADS(s) of the same
type and class, except that (1) no ADR(s) shall be, or shall need to be,
issued to evidence Uncertificated ADS(s), (2) Uncertificated ADS(s) shall,
subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement, be transferable upon the
same terms and conditions as uncertificated securities under New York law,
(3) the ownership of Uncertificated ADS(s) shall be recorded on the books
of the Depositary maintained for such purpose and evidence of such
ownership shall be reflected in periodic statements provided by the
Depositary to the Holder(s) in accordance with applicable New York law,
(4) the Depositary may from time to time, upon notice to the Holders of
Uncertificated ADSs affected thereby, establish rules and regulations, and
amend or supplement existing rules and regulations, as may be deemed
reasonably necessary to maintain Uncertificated ADS(s) on behalf of
Holders, provided that such rules and regulations do not conflict with the
terms of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, (5) the Uncertificated
ADS(s) shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement
or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the
Company unless such Uncertificated ADS(s) is/are registered on the books
of the Depositary maintained for such purpose, (6) the Depositary may, in
connection with any deposit of Shares resulting in the issuance of
Uncertificated ADSs and with any transfer, pledge, release and
cancellation of Uncertificated ADSs, require the prior receipt of such
documentation as the Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, and (7)
upon termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not
require Holders of Uncertificated ADSs to affirmatively instruct the
Depositary before remitting proceeds from the sale of the Deposited
Securities represented by such Holders' Uncertificated ADSs under the
terms of Section 6.2 of this Deposit Agreement. When issuing ADSs under
the terms of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation,
issuances pursuant to Sections 2.3, 2.5, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.10, the
Depositary may in its discretion determine to issue Uncertificated ADSs
rather than Certificated ADSs, unless otherwise specifically instructed by
the applicable Holder to issue Certificated ADSs. All provisions and
conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to Uncertificated ADSs to
the same extent as to Certificated ADSs, except as contemplated by this
Section 2.13. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and
all actions and establish any and all procedures deemed reasonably
necessary to give effect to the terms of this Section 2.13. Except as set
forth in this Section 2.13 and except as required by applicable law, the
Uncertificated ADSs shall be treated as ADSs issued and outstanding under
the terms of this Deposit Agreement. In the event that, in determining the
rights and obligations of parties hereto with respect to any
Uncertificated ADSs, any conflict arises between (I) the terms of this
Deposit Agreement (other than this Section 2.13) and (II) the terms of
this Section 2.13, the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.13
shall be controlling and shall govern the rights and obligations of the
parties to this Deposit Agreement pertaining to the Uncertificated ADSs."
(j) inserting the following as a new second paragraph to Section 5.9
thereof:
"Depositary Fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of
ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of
Deposited Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to
whom the ADSs so issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and
to the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in
6
the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the
Depositary into DTC or presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS
issuance and cancellation fees will be payable to the Depositary by the
DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the DTC
Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation,
as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and will be
charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable
Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the
DTC participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of
distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the
Depositary by Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by
the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the
applicable Depositary fees is deducted by the Depositary from the funds
being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash and the
Depositary services fee, the Depositary will invoice the applicable
Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. For ADSs
held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions other than cash
and the Depositary services fee are charged by the Depositary to the DTC
Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by
DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount
of such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs."
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION 3.01. ADR Amendment. The form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the
Deposit Agreement and each of the ADRs issued and outstanding under the terms of
the Deposit Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by:
(a) deleting the preamble thereof in its entirety and inserting the
following in its stead:
"CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the
"Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________
American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited preferred
shares, without par value, including evidence of rights to receive such
preferred shares (the "Shares"), of Brasil Telecom S.A., a corporation organized
under the laws of Brazil (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit
Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents three (3) Shares
deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian, which at the date of
execution of the Deposit Agreement is Banco Bradesco S.A. (the "Custodian"). The
ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment as provided in Articles IV and
VI of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Principal Office is located at 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, U.S.A."
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(b) deleting the first sentence of paragraph (1) thereof in its entirety
and inserting the following in its stead:
"This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American
Depositary Receipts ("Receipts" or "ADRs"), all issued and to be issued upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of November
16, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of May
18, 2007 (as so amended and as further amended and supplemented from time to
time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and all
Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of ADSs evidenced by ADRs, each
of whom by accepting an ADS becomes bound by all the terms and provisions
thereof."
(c) inserting the following as a new paragraph before the last paragraph
of paragraph (10) thereof:
"Depositary fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of
ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited
Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to whom the ADSs so
issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person who
delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS
cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or
presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees will
be payable to the Depositary by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from
the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary
for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and
will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable
Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC
participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of
distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the Depositary by
Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. In
the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable Depositary fees
is deducted by the Depositary from the funds being distributed. In the case of
distributions other than cash and the Depositary services fee, the Depositary
will invoice the applicable Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the
Depositary. For ADSs held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions
other than cash and the Depositary services fee are charged by the Depositary to
the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed
by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of
such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs."
(c) deleting the first sentence of paragraph (11) thereof in its entirety
and inserting the following in its stead:
"It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this
Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this
Receipt (and to each Certificated ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable
8
upon the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of
New York, provided that, in the case of Certificated ADSs, the Receipt has been
properly endorsed or is accompanied by properly executed instruments of
transfer."
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial
Owners, that:
(a) This Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, and the
Deposit Agreement and all other documentation executed and delivered by the
Company in connection therewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and
validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general
applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
principles; and
(b) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or
admissibility into evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as
amended hereby, and other document furnished hereunder or thereunder in the
Federative Republic of Brazil, neither of such agreements need to be filed or
recorded with any court or other authority in the Federative Republic of Brazil,
nor does any stamp or similar tax need be paid in the Federative Republic of
Brazil on or in respect of such agreements; and
(c) As of the date hereof, all of the information provided to the
Depositary by the Company in connection with this Amendment is true, accurate
and correct in all material respects.
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ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01. New ADRs. From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary
shall arrange to have new ADRs printed or amended that reflect the changes to
the form of ADR effected by this Amendment. All ADRs issued after the Effective
Date, once such new ADRs are available, whether upon the deposit of Shares or
other Deposited Securities or upon the transfer, combination or split up of
existing ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of the specimen ADR attached
as Exhibit A hereto. However, ADRs issued prior or subsequent to the date
hereof, which do not reflect the changes to the form of ADR effected hereby, do
not need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until such time
as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions
deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
SECTION 5.02. Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs. The Depositary
hereby confirms that Notice of Amendment in the form attached as Exhibit B
hereto will be delivered to Holders of ADRs as of May 18, 2007 or as soon as
reasonably practicable thereafter.
SECTION 5.03. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Depositary (and any and all of its directors, employees and
officers) for any and all liability it or they may incur as a result of the
terms of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION 5.04. Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms,
covenants and conditions of the Deposit Agreement as originally executed shall
remain in full force and effect.
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SECTION 5.05. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to
contracts made to and to be performed in that state.
SECTION 5.06. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such
counterparts together shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this
Amendment to be executed by representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the
date set forth above.
BRASIL TELECOM S.A.
By:
---------------------------------
Name: Paulo Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Financial Executive Officer
By:
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Title: Corporate Governance and
Corporate Business Officer
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
By:
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF ADR]
Number CUSIP NUMBER: _______
_____________
American Depositary Shares (each
American Depositary Share representing
three (3) fully paid preferred shares
without par value)
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED PREFERRED SHARES
of
Brasil Telecom S.A.
(Organized under the laws of Brazil)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the
"Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________
American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited preferred
shares, without par value, including evidence of rights to receive such
preferred shares (the "Shares"), of Brasil Telecom S.A., a corporation organized
under the laws of Brazil (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit
Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents three (3) Shares
deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian, which at the date of
execution of the Deposit Agreement is Banco Bradesco S.A.(the "Custodian"). The
ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment as provided in Articles IV and
VI of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Principal Office is located at 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, X.X.X.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an
issue of American Depositary Receipts ("Receipts" or "ADRs"), all issued and to
be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement,
dated as of November 16, 2001, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit
Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2007 (as so amended and as further amended and
supplemented from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the
A-1
Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time
of ADSs evidenced by ADRs, each of whom by accepting an ADS becomes bound by all
the terms and provisions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights
and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADRs and the rights and
duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any
and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in
respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property
and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit
Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the Depositary and with the
Custodian. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs
(or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and
bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and applicable ADR(s), and (b)
appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act
on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any and all procedures necessary
to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its
sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of
the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to
be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this ADR are summaries of
certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of
Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the
Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions
of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association, to
which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity
or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for
the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through
DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and
be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs.
(2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. The Holder of this ADR (and of the
ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's
designated office) of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the
ADSs evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i)
the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to
the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby (and, if
applicable, this ADR) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities
represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this ADR has been
properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer
in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities
industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the
ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the
Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to
or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv)
all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and
all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9
of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however,
in each case, to the terms and conditions of this ADR, of the Deposit Agreement,
of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, of any applicable laws
and the rules of CBLC, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited
Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
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Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the
Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the
ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to
record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for
such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without
unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited
Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or
other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the
electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the
written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the
Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this ADR, of the Memorandum and Articles
of Association of the Company, of any applicable laws and the rules of the CBLC,
and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in
each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than
one Share. In the case of Delivery to it of ADSs representing a number other
than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the
appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms
hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the
person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining
fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share
represented by the ADSs so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net
of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary
and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding
anything else contained in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may
make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash
dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any
distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary
in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs surrendered for
cancellation and withdrawal. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so
surrendering ADSs represented by this ADR, and for the account of such Holder,
the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by
law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in
respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary
for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be
given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable,
telex or facsimile transmission.
(3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of ADRs. The Registrar shall
register the transfer of this ADR (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the
books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall (x) cancel this ADR
and execute new ADRs evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those
evidenced by this ADR when canceled, (y) cause the Registrar to countersign such
new ADRs, and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order of the person
entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i)
this ADR has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney
of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of
effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this ADR has been properly endorsed or is
accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in
accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this ADR has been
duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United
States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by,
the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set
forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have been
paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this ADR,
of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law, in each case as in effect at the
time thereof.
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The Registrar shall register the split-up or combination of this ADR (and
of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the
Depositary shall (x) cancel this ADR and execute new ADRs for the number of ADSs
requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number of ADSs evidenced by
this ADR (when canceled), (y) cause the Registrar to countersign such new ADRs,
and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if
each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this ADR has been duly
Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the
Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or
combination hereof, and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and government charges (as
are set forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit B to, the Deposit Agreement) have
been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this
ADR, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law, in each case as in effect
at the time thereof.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition
precedent to the execution and delivery, the registration of issuance, transfer,
split-up, combination or surrender, of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution
thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the
Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of
ADSs or of an ADR of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other
governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect
thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being
deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the
Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this ADR, (ii) the
production of proof reasonably satisfactory to it as to the identity and
genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations
relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal of
Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations as the Depositary or
the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of this ADR and the
Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against
deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the deposit of particular
Shares may be refused, or the registration of transfer of ADRs in particular
instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of ADRs generally may
be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the
Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar are closed or if any such action
is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good
faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any
government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon
which the Shares or ADSs are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit
Agreement or this ADR, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited
Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any
other reason, subject in all cases to paragraph (24) hereof. Notwithstanding any
provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to the contrary, Holders are
entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at
any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer
books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection
with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the
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payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or
foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the
withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances
specifically contemplated by Instruction I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to
Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time).
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, each Holder and Beneficial Owner
of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company
pursuant to applicable Brazilian law, the rules and requirements of Sao Paulo
Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, and of any other stock exchange on
which Shares or ADSs are, or will be, registered, traded or listed, or the
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, which are made to provide
information, inter alia, as to the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial
Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of
any other person(s) interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and
various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners
at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts
to forward, upon the request of the Company and at the Company's expense, any
such request from the Company to the Holders and to forward to the Company any
such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
The Depositary and the Company shall comply with Brazil's Monetary Council
Resolution number 1927, in its third article, and agree to furnish the Brazilian
Securities Commission (Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios) and the Brazilian
Central Bank (Banco Central do Brasil), whenever required information or
documents related to the approved ADR program, the Deposited Securities and
distributions thereon.
(6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this ADR or
of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where
such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed by
applicable law or the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company. The
Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of
ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by
the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits.
The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct
the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any
Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding
sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the
transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale
or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares
represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of
such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by
applicable law and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.
(7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. Any tax or other
governmental charge payable with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities
or ADSs shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary.
The Company, the Custodian and/or Depositary may withhold or deduct from any
distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the
account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited
Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such
taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and
A-5
the Beneficial Owner hereof remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian
may refuse the deposit of Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to
deliver ADRs, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and
(subject to paragraph (24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until
payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every
Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the
Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and Affiliates for, and
hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including
applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained
for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
(8) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing
Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and
warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and legally obtained by such person,
(ii) all preemptive (and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares
have been validly waived or exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is
duly authorized so to do, (iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free and
clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse
claim, (v) the Shares presented for deposit are not, and the ADSs issuable upon
such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities (except as contemplated in
Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement), and (vi) the Shares presented for
deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements. Such
representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of
Shares, the issuance and cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the
transfer of such ADSs. If any such representations or warranties are false in
any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and
expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary
to correct the consequences thereof.
(9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person
presenting Shares for deposit, and any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be
required, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time (i) to
provide to the Depositary and the Custodian such proof of, citizenship or
residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other
governmental charges, exchange control approval, legal or beneficial ownership
of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws, compliance
with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the
Deposited Securities, (ii) to execute such certifications and to make such
representations and warranties, and (iii) to provide such other information and
documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for
deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of
the Shares Registrar) as the Depositary or the Custodian may reasonably deem
necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request
to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or
delivery or registration of transfer of any ADR or the distribution or sale of
any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to
the extent not limited by paragraph (24) hereof, the delivery of any Deposited
Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certifications
are executed, or such representations are made or such information and
documentation are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's
and the Company's satisfaction.
(10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees
for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
A-6
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of
Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or
portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit
Agreement (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraphs (iii)
and (v) below);
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and
withdrawal of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of
U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) no fee shall be payable upon distribution of (a) cash
dividends or (b) ADSs pursuant to stock dividends (or other
free distributions of stock) so long as the charging of such
fee is prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are
listed. If charging of such fees is not prohibited, the fees
specified in (i) above shall be payable in respect of ADS
distributions pursuant to stock dividends (or other free
distributions of stock) and the fees specified in (iv) below
shall be payable in respect of distributions of cash;
(iv) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per
100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of
cash proceeds (i.e., upon the sale of rights and other
entitlements); and
(v) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in the excess of U.S. $ 5.00
per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of
rights to purchase additional ADSs.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for
deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of
Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other
governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect
for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities
on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or
other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the
Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of
deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery
expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to
be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing
Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the
conversion of foreign currency;
A-7
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in
connection with compliance with exchange control regulations
and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares,
Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection
with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Depositary fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of
ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited
Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to whom the ADSs so
issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person who
delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS
cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or
presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees will
be payable to the Depositary by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from
the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary
for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and
will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable
Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC
participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of
distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the Depositary by
Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. In
the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable Depositary fees
is deducted by the Depositary from the funds being distributed. In the case of
distributions other than cash and the Depositary services fee, the Depositary
will invoice the applicable Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the
Depositary. For ADSs held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions
other than cash and the Depositary services fee are charged by the Depositary to
the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed
by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of
such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs.
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit
Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and
the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be
changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees
and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner
contemplated by paragraph (22) of this ADR. The Depositary will provide, without
charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges
and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
(11) Title to ADRs. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every
successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and
agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each Certificated ADS evidenced
hereby) shall be transferable upon the same terms as a certificated security
under the laws of the State of New York, provided that, in the case of
Certificated ADSs, the Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by
properly executed instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the
contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this
ADR (that is, the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the books of
the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the
Depositary nor the Company shall have any obligation nor be subject to any
liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any holder of this ADR or
any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this ADR registered on
the books of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such
Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the Holder
registered on the books of the Depositary.
A-8
(12) Validity of ADR. The Holder(s) of this ADR (and the ADSs represented
hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be
valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company
unless this ADR has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile
signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned
by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the
Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar for the
registration of issuances and transfers of ADRs. ADRs bearing the facsimile
signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who
at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or
the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding
the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the
delivery of such ADR by the Depositary.
(13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The
Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act
and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and
documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission located at 000 X Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx X.X.
00000. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its
Principal Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting
materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the
Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the
Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such
Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and
transfers of ADRs which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by
the Company and by the Holders of such ADRs, provided that such inspection shall
not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with
Holders of such ADRs in the interest of a business or object other than the
business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement
or the ADRs.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the ADRs, at
any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good
faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the
reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to paragraph
(24) hereof.
Dated:
CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A.
Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary
By: __________________________________ By: _________________________________
Authorized Signatory Authorized Signatory
A-9
The address of the Principal Office of the Depositary is 000 Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, X.X.X.
A-10
[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the
Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash
dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives
proceeds from the sale of any Deposited Securities or of any entitlements held
in respect of Deposited Securities under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a
Foreign Currency can, in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary (upon the
terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into
Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be
converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (upon the
terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record
Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement, and (iii)
distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld, in
each case, to the extent permitted by the provisions of the Deposit Agreement)
to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the
number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute
only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any
Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held
by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to
and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to
Holders of ADSs then outstanding at the time of the next distribution. If the
Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does
withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any
Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental
charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such
Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall
be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant
governmental authority.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend
in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be
deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of
the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of
confirmation of the deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject to
and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and
either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record
Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date,
additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as
such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit
Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges
of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes, in each case, to the
extent permitted by the provisions of the Deposit Agreement), or (ii) if
additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after
the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also
represent rights and interest in the additional integral number of Shares
distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the
applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and
(b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the
Deposit Agreement.
A-11
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in
property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges
which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the
fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has furnished an
opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the
Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such
registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose
of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe
therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private
sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall
distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of (a) taxes and
(b) fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary in each
case, to the extent permitted by the provisions of the Deposit Agreement) to
Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary
shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance
with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an
elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs upon the terms
described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall
determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so,
the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit
Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to paragraph (16) and
establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the
proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to
receive the distribution in cash, the distribution shall be made as in the case
of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the
distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be made as in the case
of a distribution in Shares upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement.
If such elective distribution is not reasonably practicable or if the Depositary
did not receive documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement reasonably
satisfactory to it, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law,
distribute to Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in
Brazil in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash
or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon
the terms described in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein or in the Deposit
Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a
method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There
can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to
receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders
of Shares.
Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the
Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to
Holders of ADSs, the Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall
determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights
available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any
Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be
made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the
documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement reasonably satisfactory to
it, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution of
rights is reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the
Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions
set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date
(upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x)
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to distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or
otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of
the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs
upon the valid exercise of such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit
Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holders a
method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs). If (i) the
Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available to
Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to
Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the documentation required by the
Deposit Agreement reasonably satisfactory to it or determines it is not
reasonably practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any
rights made available are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the
Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to
sell such rights, in a riskless principal capacity, at such place and upon such
terms (including public and private sale) as it may reasonably deem practicable.
The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such
sale (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and (b) taxes in each case, to the extent permitted by the provision
of the Deposit Agreement) upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If
the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders or to arrange
for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the Depositary shall
allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any
failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights
available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign
exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or exercise, or
(iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the ADR Holders on behalf of the
Company in connection with the rights distribution if the Company has provided
or approved such materials; provided, however, if such materials are received by
the Depositary from a person other than the Company or its agent and such
materials are required by law to be forwarded to Holders, the Depositary shall
promptly provide the Company with a copy of such materials for the Company's
review and, unless otherwise required by law, the Company's approval, prior to
distribution by the Depositary to the Holders.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the
contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law)
of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate may be required in
order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to
sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not
distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration
statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such
offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary
opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the
Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed, in
each case satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and
sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do
not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any
other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the
Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution
of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other
governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing
such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the
Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and
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rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental
charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may
dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to
subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or
private sale, as the Depositary reasonably deems necessary and practicable to
pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in
particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms
and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing
herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any
registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to
be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other
than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders
of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is
lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such
distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make
such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the
documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement reasonably satisfactory to
it, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is
reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary
shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the
ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively
and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such
distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes
withheld in each case, to the extent permitted by the provisions of the Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so
distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public
or private sale) as the Depositary may reasonably deem practicable or necessary
to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other
governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or
cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or
places and upon such terms as it may reasonably deem practicable and shall (i)
cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii)
distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of
applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and
(b) taxes, in each case, to the extent permitted by the provisions of the
Deposit Agreement) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms
hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such
property, the Depositary may dispose of such property for the account of the
Holders in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances. Any
benefit received upon such disposition shall be for the pro-rata benefit of the
Holders.
(15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of notice from the Company to the
Depositary, which notice shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary,
that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the
Deposited Securities, and a satisfactory opinion of counsel, and upon
determining that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall
(to the extent practicable) provide to each Holder a notice setting forth the
Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars
set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of
confirmation that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the
redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer,
distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses
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incurred by, the Depositary, and (b) taxes, in each case, to the extent
permitted by the provisions of the Deposit Agreement), retire ADSs and cancel
ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof upon the terms of the Deposit
Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the
ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be
determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar
equivalent of the per share amount received by the Depositary (adjusted to
reflect the ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio) upon the redemption of the Deposited
Securities represented by ADSs (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement
and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary, and taxes, in each case, to the extent permitted by the provisions
of the Deposit Agreement) multiplied by the number of Deposited Securities
represented by each ADS redeemed.
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive
notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of
holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in
cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the
Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each
ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or
solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited
Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in
connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any
other matter, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall fix a
record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of ADRs who
shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the
exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent,
to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to
exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares
represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions
of this ADR and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of ADRs at the close of
business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such
distributions, to give such instructions, to receive such notice or
solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt
of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are
entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of
Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of
such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if
requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no
obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been
received by the Depositary at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of such
vote or meeting), at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal
prohibitions exist, distribute to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such
notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies, (b) a statement that
the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled,
subject to any applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the
Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association and the provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in
pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of
the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by
such Holder's ADSs and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such
voting instructions may be given. Voting instructions may be given only in
respect of a number of ADSs representing an integral number of Deposited
Securities. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions from a Holder of ADSs
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as of the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary for such
purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted
under applicable law and the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, Memorandum and
Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited
Securities, to vote, or cause the Custodian to vote, the Deposited Securities
represented by such Holder's ADSs in accordance with such instructions.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall under any circumstances
exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the
Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make
use of, for purposes of establishing a quorum or otherwise the Deposited
Securities represented by ADSs, except pursuant to and in accordance with the
voting instructions timely received from Holders or as otherwise contemplated
herein. If the Depositary timely receives voting instructions from a Holder
which fail to specify the manner in which the Depositary is to vote the
Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADSs, the Depositary will deem
such Holder (unless otherwise specified in the notice distributed to Holders) to
have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such
instructions. Deposited Securities represented by ADSs for which no timely
voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be
voted. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or this
ADR, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with
respect to any meeting, or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of
Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The
Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable
Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the
Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel
addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular
will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the
Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or
par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification
of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party,
any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in
exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of,
such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as
new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the ADRs shall,
subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence
ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The
Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so
request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of reasonably
satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and
deliver additional ADRs as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or
call for the surrender of outstanding ADRs to be exchanged for new ADRs, in
either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary
modifications to the form of ADR contained in this Exhibit A to the Deposit
Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate
change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so
received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary
A-16
may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to
receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or
places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net
proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred
by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise
entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the
extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to
the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any
failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities
available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign
exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any
liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability (i) if the Depositary or the
Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or
criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing
any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, by
reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United
States, Brazil or any other country, or of any other governmental authority or
regulatory authority or stock exchange, or on account of possible criminal or
civil penalties or restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future,
of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or any provision of
or governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or
other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in the Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the
Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action
or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel,
accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, any
Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person
believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information,
(iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any
distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to
holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADSs or (v) for any consequential or
punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company,
its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting
upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of
the Deposit Agreement or this ADR.
(20) Standard of Care. The Company and the Depositary assume no obligation
and shall not be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this
ADR to any Holder(s) or Beneficial Owner(s), except that the Company and
Depositary agree to perform their respective obligations specifically set forth
in the Deposit Agreement and this ADR without negligence or bad faith. The
Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any
instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which
any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or
omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to
A-17
determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably
practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company
for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation
thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the
Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or
for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or
Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing
any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure
or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company,
such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 60th day after
delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment of a successor
depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written
notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the earlier of (i)
the 60th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting
hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to
appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an
office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor
depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an
instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such
successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by
applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties
and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of
all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and
deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of
such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest
to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such
successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding ADRs and such other
information relating to ADRs and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably
request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly provide notice of its
appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary
may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without
the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
(22) Amendment/Supplement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
paragraph 22, the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, this ADR and any
provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be
amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the
Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the
prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or
supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the
charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and
other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall
otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or
Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding ADRs
until the expiration of thirty (30) days after notice of such amendment or
supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding ADRs. The parties
hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably
necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the
ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be
traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case
impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed
A-18
not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial
Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or
supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such
ADS(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by
the Deposit Agreement and this ADR as amended or supplemented thereby. In no
event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to
surrender such ADR and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented
thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws,
rules or regulations which would require an amendment of, or supplement to, the
Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary
may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this ADR at any time in
accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or
supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective
before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within
any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or
regulations.
(23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written
direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by providing notice of
such termination to the Holders of all ADRs then outstanding at least thirty
(30) days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If sixty
(60) days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to
the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company
shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the
Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been
appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit
Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by providing
notice of such termination to the Holders of all ADRs then outstanding at least
thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the
date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of
such Holders' ADR(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment
of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in
paragraph (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions
and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or
governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the
amount of Deposited Securities represented by such ADR. If any ADRs shall remain
outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the
Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of ADRs,
and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders
thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts
under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to
collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities,
shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to
deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set
forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other
distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of
any rights or other property, in exchange for ADRs surrendered to the Depositary
(after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of
the Depositary for the surrender of a ADR, any expenses for the account of the
Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and
any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after
the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit
A-19
Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder
and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together
with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account,
without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose
ADRs have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the
Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement
with respect to the ADRs, the Deposited Securities and the ADSs, except to
account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as
the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender
of an ADR, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or
governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit
Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the
Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
(24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provisions
in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery
of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary
except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions
to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the
Securities Act.
(25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further
terms and provisions of this paragraph (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and
their agents, on their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities
of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs
against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the
Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other
entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees
of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not
lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs
prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement
and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited
Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs
which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been
received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may
receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of
ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) subject to
a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs
or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release
Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be
delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to
indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to
hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs
are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees
to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or
ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the
Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash,
U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems
appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business
days' notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations
A-20
as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the
number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one
time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to
ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary
reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it
deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number
of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a
case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its
own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing.
Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not earnings thereon, shall be
held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
A-21
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification
number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is
________________, the within ADR and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably
constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to
transfer said ADR on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution
in the premises.
Dated: Name: ___________________________________
By:
Title:
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to
this assignment must correspond with the
name as written upon the face of the
within instrument in every particular,
without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
If the endorsement be executed by an
attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, the person executing
the endorsement must give his/her full
title in such capacity and proper
evidence of authority to act in such
capacity, if not on file with the
Depositary, must be forwarded with this
ADR.
__________________________
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
All endorsements or assignments of ADRs
must be guaranteed by a member of a
Medallion Signature Program approved by
the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
Legends
[The ADRs issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares
shall bear the following legend on the face of the ADR: "This ADR evidences ADSs
representing 'partial entitlement' preferred shares of Brasil Telecom S.A. and
as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as
other preferred Shares (which are 'full entitlement' preferred Shares) issued
and outstanding at such time. The ADSs represented by this ADR shall entitle
holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other ADSs when the
preferred Shares represented by such ADSs become 'full entitlement' preferred
Shares."]
A-22
NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO BRASIL TELECOM S.A.
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
To the Holders of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"),
evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"),
representing Deposited Securities of the Company
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company: Brasil Telecom S.A. a corporation organized under the laws
of the Federative Republic of Brazil (the "Company").
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depositary: Citibank, N.A. (the "Depositary").
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Custodian Banco Bradesco S.A. (the "Custodian").
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposited Securities: Preferred shares, without par value of the Company.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADS CUSIP No.: 00000X000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Old Shares to ADS Ratio: Three thousand (3,000) preferred shares to one (1) ADS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Shares to ADS Ratio: Three (3) preferred shares to one (1) ADS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deposit Agreement: Deposit Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2001, as
amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Deposit Agreement (so
amended, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the
Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial
Owners (each as defined in the Deposit Agreement) of ADSs
evidenced by ADRs issued thereunder.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Date: May 18, 2007 (such date, the "Effective Date").
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Deposit Agreement,
the Company and the Depositary have amended the Deposit Agreement by means of an
Amendment No. 1 to the Deposit Agreement (the "Amendment"). Capitalized terms
used, but not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meaning given to such
terms in the Deposit Agreement.
Please be advised that pursuant to the terms of the Amendment, the Deposit
Agreement and all ADRs have been amended to (i) allow ADSs to be eligible for
the Direct Registration System in compliance with the requirements of the New
York Stock Exchange and (ii) reflect the change in Shares to ADS ratio. The
Company and the Depositary have filed a draft of the Amendment with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under cover of Post Effective
Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 (the "F-6 Registration
Statement").
You are hereby advised that the revised terms of the Amendment have become
effective as of May 18, 2007. By continuing to hold any outstanding ADS or ADR
issued under the Deposit Agreement after the Effective Date, you will be deemed
for all purposes to have consented and agreed to be bound by the revised terms
of the Deposit Agreement as amended by the Amendment.
From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs
printed that reflect the changes effected by the Amendment. However, ADRs issued
prior to the Effective Date which do not reflect the changes effected by the
Amendment do not need to be surrendered for exchange and may remain outstanding
until such time as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason
under the Deposit Agreement.
Copies of the Deposit Agreement and the form of Amendment will be available for
retrieval from the SEC's website at xxx.xxx.xxx (Registration No.: 333-14058)
and from the principal offices of the Depositary located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000. If you have any questions regarding the
proposed amendment to the Deposit Agreement, please call Citibank, N.A. -- ADS
Holder Services at 0-000-000-0000.
Citibank, N.A., as Depositary
____________, 2007
2
