FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE by and between HONG KONG HIGHPOWER TECHNOLOGY, INC. as Issuer, and as Trustee Dated as of ______________
FORM
OF
by
and between
as
Issuer,
and
_____________________,
as
Trustee
Dated
as of ______________
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
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SECTION
1.01 Definitions
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1
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SECTION
1.02 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
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3
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SECTION
1.03 Rules of Construction
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4
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ARTICLE
II THE SECURITIES
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SECTION
2.01 Unlimited in Amount, Issuable in Series
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4
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SECTION
2.02 Form and Dating
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6
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SECTION
2.03 Execution and Authentication
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6
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SECTION
2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent
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7
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SECTION
2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Assets in Trust
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7
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SECTION
2.06 Holder Lists
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7
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SECTION
2.07 General Provisions Relating to Transfer and Exchange
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8
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SECTION
2.08 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities
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8
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SECTION
2.09 Replacement Securities
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10
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SECTION
2.10 Outstanding Securities
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10
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SECTION
2.11 Treasury Securities
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10
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SECTION
2.12 Temporary Securities
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10
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SECTION
2.13 Cancellation
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10
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SECTION
2.14 CUSIP Numbers
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11
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SECTION
2.15 Defaulted Interest
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11
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SECTION
2.16 Special Record Dates
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11
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ARTICLE
III REDEMPTION
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SECTION
3.01 Notices to Trustee
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11
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SECTION
3.02 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed
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11
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SECTION
3.03 Notice of Redemption
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12
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SECTION
3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption
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12
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SECTION
3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price
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12
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SECTION
3.06 Securities Redeemed in Part
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13
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SECTION
3.07 Holder's Right to Require Redemption
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13
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SECTION
3.08 Procedure for Requiring Redemption
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13
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ARTICLE
IV COVENANTS
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SECTION
4.01 Payment of Securities
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13
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SECTION
4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency
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13
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SECTION
4.03 Reports
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14
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SECTION
4.04 Compliance Certificate
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14
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SECTION
4.05 Taxes
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14
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SECTION
4.06 Corporate Existence
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15
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ARTICLE
V MERGER, ETC.
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SECTION
5.01 When Company May Merge, etc.
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15
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SECTION
5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted
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15
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ARTICLE
VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
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SECTION
6.01 Events of Default
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16
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SECTION
6.02 Acceleration
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17
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SECTION
6.03 Other Remedies
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17
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SECTION
6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults
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17
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SECTION
6.05 Control by Majority
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17
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i
Page
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SECTION
6.06 Limitation on Suits
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17
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SECTION
6.07 Rights of Holders To Receive Payment and to Demand
Conversion
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18
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SECTION
6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee
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18
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SECTION
6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
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18
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SECTION
6.10 Priorities
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18
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SECTION
6.11 Undertaking for Costs
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19
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SECTION
6.12 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
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19
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SECTION
6.13 Restoration of Positions
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19
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SECTION
6.14 Liability of Stockholders, Officers, Directors and
Incorporators
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19
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ARTICLE
VII TRUSTEE
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SECTION
7.01 Duties of Trustee
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20
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SECTION
7.02 Rights of Trustee
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21
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SECTION
7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee
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21
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SECTION
7.04 Money Held in Trust
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21
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SECTION
7.05 Trustee’s Disclaimer
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22
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SECTION
7.06 Notice of Defaults
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22
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SECTION
7.07 Reports by Trustee to Holders
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22
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SECTION
7.08 Compensation and Indemnity
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22
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SECTION
7.09 Replacement of Trustee
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23
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SECTION
7.10 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
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23
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SECTION
7.11 Eligibility; Disqualification
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24
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SECTION
7.12 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company
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24
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ARTICLE
VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
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SECTION
8.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
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24
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SECTION
8.02 Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification
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25
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SECTION
8.03 Legal Defeasance
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25
|
SECTION
8.04 Covenant Defeasance
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26
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SECTION
8.05 Repayment to Company
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27
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SECTION
8.06 Reinstatement
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27
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ARTICLE
IX AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
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|
SECTION
9.01 Without Consent of Holders
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27
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SECTION
9.02 With Consent of Holders
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28
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SECTION
9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
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29
|
SECTION
9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents
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29
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SECTION
9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities
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29
|
SECTION
9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendment, etc.
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30
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ARTICLE
X CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
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|
SECTION
10.01 Provisions Relating to Conversion or Exchange of
Securities
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30
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ARTICLE
XI SINKING OR PURCHASE FUNDS
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|
SECTION
11.01 Provisions Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds
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30
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ARTICLE
XII MISCELLANEOUS
|
|
SECTION
12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls
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30
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SECTION
12.02 Notices
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30
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SECTION
12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders
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31
|
SECTION
12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
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31
|
SECTION
12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
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31
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SECTION
12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents
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32
|
SECTION
12.07 Legal Holidays
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32
|
SECTION
12.08 Duplicate Originals
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32
|
SECTION
12.09 Governing Law
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32
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SECTION
12.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
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32
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ii
Page
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SECTION
12.11 Successors
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32
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SECTION
12.12 Severability
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32
|
SECTION
12.13 Counterpart Originals
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32
|
SECTION
12.14 Submission to Jurisdiction
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33
|
SECTION
12.15 Waiver of Jury Trial
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33
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SECTION
12.16 Force Majeure
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33
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SECTION
12.16 Supplemental Indentures Contract
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33
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SECTION
12.18 Table of Contents, Headings, etc
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33
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SECTION
12.19 When Treasury Securities Disregarded
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33
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iii
CROSS-REFERENCE
TABLE*
Trust Indenture Act Section
|
Indenture Section
|
|
310
|
(a)(1)
|
7.11
|
(a)(2)
|
7.11
|
|
(a)(3)
|
n/a
|
|
(a)(4)
|
n/a
|
|
(a)(5)
|
7.11
|
|
(b)
|
7.03;
7.11
|
|
(c)
|
n/a
|
|
311
|
(a)
|
7.12
|
(b)
|
7.12
|
|
(c)
|
n/a
|
|
312
|
(a)
|
2.06
|
(b)
|
12.03
|
|
(c)
|
12.03
|
|
313
|
(a)
|
7.07
|
(b)(1)
|
n/a
|
|
(b)(2)
|
7.07;
7.08
|
|
(c)
|
7.07;
12.02
|
|
(d)
|
7.07
|
|
314
|
(a)(1),
(2), (3)
|
4.03;12.05
|
(a)(4)
|
4.04
|
|
(b)
|
n/a
|
|
(c)(1)
|
12.04
|
|
(c)(2)
|
12.04
|
|
(c)(3)
|
n/a
|
|
(d)
|
n/a
|
|
(e)
|
12.05
|
|
(f)
|
n/a
|
|
315
|
(a)
|
7.01(b)
|
(b)
|
7.06;
12.02
|
|
(c)
|
7.01(a)
|
|
(d)
|
7.01(c)
|
|
(e)
|
6.11
|
|
316
|
(a)(last
sentence)
|
2.11
|
(a)(1)(A)
|
6.05
|
|
(a)(1)(B)
|
6.04
|
|
(a)(2)
|
n/a
|
|
(b)
|
6.07
|
|
(c)
|
9.04
|
|
317
|
(a)(1)
|
6.08
|
(a)(2)
|
6.09
|
|
(b)
|
2.04
|
|
318
|
(a)
|
12.01
|
(b)
|
n/a
|
|
(c)
|
12.01
|
“n/a”
means not applicable.
iv
SENIOR INDENTURE (this “Indenture”),
dated as of ________, by and between HONG KONG HIGHPOWER TECHNOLOGY, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), as issuer, and ______________, a
____________, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS
The
Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to
provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”),
up to such principal amount as may from time to time be authorized in or
pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors or by supplemental
indenture.
NOW,
THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and
in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the
Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed for the equal and ratable
benefit of the Holders of the Securities, as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
SECTION
1.01 Definitions.
“Affiliate”
means, when used with reference to the Company or another Person, any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect
common control with, the Company or such other Person, as the case may be. For
the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any
specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of management
or policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative of the
foregoing.
“Agent”
means any Registrar, Paying Agent, authenticating agent or
co-Registrar.
“Bankruptcy
Law” means Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the
relief of debtors.
“Board of
Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors of such
Person or any duly authorized committee of such Board of Directors.
“Board
Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the secretary or an
assistant secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof and to be in
full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the
Trustee.
“Business
Day” means a day that is not a Legal Holiday.
“Company”
means the party named as the Company in the first paragraph of this Indenture
until one or more successor corporations shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter means such
successors.
“Consolidated”
or “consolidated” means, when used with reference to any amount, such amount
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, after the
elimination of intercompany items.
1
“Corporate
Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time
its corporate services business shall be principally administered, which office
at the date of execution of this Indenture is located at
______________.
“Custodian”
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar
official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default”
means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an
Event of Default.
“Depositary”
means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective
successors.
“DTC
Participants” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any
successor statute.
“Event of
Default” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor
statute.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and
pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as
have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which
are applicable from time to time.
“Global
Securities” means a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of
Securities that is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee to a depositary or pursuant to such depositary’s instructions, all
in accordance with this Indenture and pursuant to Section 2.01, which shall be
registered as to principal and interest in the name of such depositary or its
nominee.
“Holder”
means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s
books.
“Indenture”
means this Indenture, as amended, supplemented or modified from time to
time.
“Issue
Date” means the date of original issuance of the initial Securities pursuant to
this Indenture.
“Legal
Holiday” has the meaning specified in Section 12.07.
“Officer”
of any Person means the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, any Senior Vice President, any Executive Vice
President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the Controller of
such Person.
“Officers’
Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an
Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Controller of any
Person.
“Opinion
of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel. The counsel may be an
employee of or counsel to the Company.
“Paying
Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.
“Person”
means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental
authority or other entity of whatever nature.
“Physical
Securities” means permanent certificated Securities in registered form, issued
in accordance with Section 2.08 and the terms of any indenture supplemental
hereto.
2
“Redemption
Date” means, with respect to any Securities to be redeemed, the date fixed for
such redemption pursuant to this Indenture.
“Redemption
Price” means the redemption price fixed in accordance with the terms of the
Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for
redemption.
“Register”
has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.
“Registrar”
has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.
“Responsible
Officer” shall mean, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within
the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president,
assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust
officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions
similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such
officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred
because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this
Indenture.
“SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any government agency
succeeding to its functions.
“Securities”
means the securities authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor
statute.
“Significant
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would constitute a “significant
subsidiary” within the meaning of Article 1 of Regulation S-X of the Securities
Act as in effect on the date of this Indenture.
“Subsidiary”
of any Person means:
|
(i)
|
a
corporation a majority of whose capital stock with voting power, under
ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or
indirectly, owned by such Person or by such Person and a subsidiary or
subsidiaries of such Person or by a subsidiary or subsidiaries of such
Person; or
|
|
(ii)
|
any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person or such
Person and a subsidiary or subsidiaries of such Person or a subsidiary or
subsidiaries of such Persons, at the time, directly or indirectly, owns at
least a majority voting interest under ordinary
circumstances.
|
“TIA”
means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of this
Indenture; provided,
however, that in the
event the TIA is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by
such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as so amended, or any successor
statute.
“Trustee”
means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it
and thereafter, means the successor.
“U.S.
Government Obligations” means (i) direct obligations of the United States of
America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States
of America is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised
by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America,
the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America and which in either case, are
non-callable at the option of the issuer thereof.
SECTION
1.02 Incorporation by
Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever
this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated
by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. In addition, the provisions
of Sections 310 to and including 317 of the TIA that impose duties on any person
are incorporated by reference in, and form a part of, this
Indenture.
3
The
following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following
meanings:
“indenture
securities” means the Securities;
“indenture
security holder” means a Holder;
“indenture
to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture
trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor”
on the Securities means the Company and any other obligor on the indenture
securities.
All other
TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA
reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned
to them by such definitions.
SECTION
1.03 Rules of
Construction.
Unless
the context otherwise requires:
|
(i)
|
a
term has the meaning assigned to
it;
|
|
(ii)
|
an
accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in
accordance with GAAP;
|
|
(iii)
|
“or”
is not exclusive;
|
|
(iv)
|
“including”
means including without limitation;
|
|
(v)
|
words
in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the
singular; and
|
|
(vi)
|
provisions
apply to successive events and
transactions.
|
ARTICLE
II
THE
SECURITIES
SECTION
2.01 Unlimited in Amount,
Issuable in Series, Denomination
The
aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one
or more series in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of a series, the Company and the Trustee
will execute an indenture supplemental hereto which will set forth as to the
Securities of that series, to the extent applicable:
(a) The
title and ranking of such Securities;
(b) The
aggregate principal amount of such Securities and any limit on such aggregate
principal amount that may be issued;
(c) The
denomination of such Securities, if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof;
(d) The
price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such
Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the
portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration
of the maturity thereof;
(e) The
date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the
Securities will mature and the amounts to be paid upon maturity of the
Securities;
(f) The
rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate
or rates shall be determined, at which such Securities will bear interest, if
any, the date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from
which any such interest will accrue, the dates on which any such interest will
be payable, the record dates for such interest payment dates, or the method by
which such dates shall be determined, the persons to whom such interest shall be
payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated, if other than
that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;
4
(g) The
right, if any, of the Company to defer payment of interest and the maximum
length of any such deferral period;
(h) The
place or places where the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on
such Securities will be payable, where such Securities may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the
Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be
served;
(i) The
date or dates, if any, after which, and the price or prices at which, and the
other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may, pursuant to any
optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part,
by the Company;
(j) The
obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase such Securities
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a Holder
thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be redeemed,
repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such
obligation;
(k) The
terms, if any, on which the Securities of such series are convertible into, or
exchangeable for, shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities of
the Company, including any mandatory conversion or exchange provisions and any
provisions intended to prevent dilution of those conversion or exchange
rights;
(l)
Whether such Securities will be secured or unsecured and the terms relating
thereto;
(m) The
restrictions, if any, on the transfer, sale or other assignment of the
Securities;
(n) If
other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which such Securities are
denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more
foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and
conditions relating thereto;
(o)
Whether the principal of, or premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of
the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof,
in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or
currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to
be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions
upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity
of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange
rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be
payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite
currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so
payable;
(p)
Whether the amount of payments of principal of, or premium and interest, if any,
on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or
other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on the
yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury
securities, or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite
currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be
determined;
(q) Any
deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or
covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or
not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of
Default or covenants described herein;
(r)
Whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay any additional amounts
on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and,
if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities in
lieu of making such payment;
5
(s)
Whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as registered securities,
bearer securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable
to the offer, sale or delivery of bearer securities and the terms upon which
bearer securities of the series may be exchanged for registered securities of
the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations),
whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary
global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in
permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial
owners of interests in any such permanent Global Security may exchange such
interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor or any authorized form
and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur,
if other than in the manner provided in the indenture, and, if registered
securities of the series are to be issuable as a Global Security, the identity
of the depositary for such series;
(t) The
date as of which any bearer securities of the series and any temporary Global
Security representing outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if
other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to
be issued;
(u) The
person to whom any interest on any registered security of the series shall be
payable, if other than the person in whose name that Security (or one or more
predecessor securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular
record date for such interest, the manner in which, or the person to whom, any
interest on any bearer security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise
than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they
severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest
payable on a temporary Global Security on an interest payment date will be paid
if other than in the manner provided in the indenture;
(v) The
applicability, if any, of the legal defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions of this Indenture to the Securities of the series;
(w)
Whether such Securities will be issued in certificated or book entry form, and
if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether
upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary security of such series)
only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of
other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or
conditions;
(x)
Whether the Securities will be listed for trading on an exchange and the
identity of such exchange, and whether any underwriters will act as market
makers for the Securities; and
(y) Any
other terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the
Securities of such series, including any restrictions on the transfer, sale or
other assignment of the Securities.
SECTION
2.02 Form and Dating.
The
Securities of each series will be substantially in the form established by an
indenture supplemental hereto relating to the Securities of that series. The
Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock
exchange rules or usage. The Company will approve the form of the Securities and
any notation, legend or endorsement thereon. Each Security will be dated as of
the date of its authentication pursuant to Section 2.03.
SECTION
2.03 Execution and
Authentication.
Two
Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile
signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid
nevertheless.
A
Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the
Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been
authenticated under this Indenture.
The
Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the
Company, authenticate for original issue Securities in aggregate principal
amount specified in such order.
The
Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company
to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an
authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes
authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an
Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
6
SECTION
2.04 Registrar and Paying
Agent.
The
Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for
registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office
or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The
Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities (the “Register”) and of their
transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-Registrars and one
or more additional Paying Agents for the Securities. The term “Paying Agent”
includes any additional paying agent and the term “Registrar” includes any
additional registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar
without prior notice to any Holder.
The
Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a
party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA and
implement the terms of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company
shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address of any
Agent who is not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or
maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as
such. The Company or any Affiliate of the Company may act as Paying Agent or
Registrar; provided, however, that none of the Company, its
Subsidiaries or the Affiliates of the foregoing shall act (i) as Paying Agent in
connection with redemptions, offers to purchase, discharges and defeasance, as
otherwise specified in this Indenture, and (ii) as Paying Agent or Registrar if
a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
The
Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as Depositary
with respect to the Global Securities.
The
Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent for
the Securities.
SECTION
2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Assets in
Trust.
Not later
than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date of the principal and
interest on any Securities, the Company shall deposit with one or more Paying
Agents money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such principal and
interest so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than
the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for
the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for
the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities (whether such money
has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities) and
shall notify the Trustee of any failure by the Company (or any other obligor on
the Securities) in making any such payment. While any such failure continues,
the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment
over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary
of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to
the Trustee.
If the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as
Paying Agent, it shall, prior to or on each due date of any principal of or
interest on the Securities, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the
benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient with monies held by all other
Paying Agents, to pay such principal or interest so becoming due until such sum
of money shall be paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in
this Indenture, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its actions or failure
to act.
SECTION
2.06 Holder Lists.
The
Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the
most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall
otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the TIA. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee prior to or on each interest
payment date for the Securities and at such other times as the Trustee may
request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may
reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders relating to such
interest payment date or request, as the case may be.
7
SECTION
2.07 General Provisions Relating to Transfer
and Exchange.
The
Securities are issuable only in registered form. A Holder may transfer a
Security only by written application to the Registrar or another transfer agent
stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying with the
terms of this Indenture. No such transfer shall be effected until, and such
transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance
and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Register. Prior to the
registration of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the
Trustee, and any agent of the Company shall treat the person in whose name the
Security is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes whether or not the
Security shall be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee, nor any such
agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Furthermore, any Holder of a
Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that
transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only
through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Security (or
its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be
required to be reflected in a book-entry.
When
Securities are presented to the Registrar or another transfer agent with a
request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal
amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall
register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements for
such transactions are met (including that such Securities are duly endorsed or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the Holder
thereof or by an attorney who is authorized in writing to act on behalf of the
Holder). Subject to Section 2.03, to permit registrations of transfers and
exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
Securities at the Registrar’s request. No service charge shall be made for any
registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of the Securities, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such
transfer taxes or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges
pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.06 or 9.05 hereof).
Neither
the Registrar nor any other transfer agent nor the Company shall be required
to:
(i)
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of any
selection of Securities for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at
the close of business on the day of selection; or
(ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in
whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed
in part.
Each
Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any
liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such
Holder’s Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or
applicable United States Federal or state securities law.
The
Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to
compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or
under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any
Security (including any transfers between or among DTC Participants or
beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require
delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are
expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms
of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance
as to form with the express requirements hereof.
SECTION
2.08 Book-Entry Provisions for Global
Securities.
(a) The
Global Securities initially shall:
(i) be
registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of such Depositary;
and
8
(ii) be
delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary.
Members
of, or participants in, the Depositary (“DTC Participants”) shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on
their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under such
Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee
and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global
Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing
contained herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the
Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy
or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the
Depositary and the DTC Participants, the operation of customary practices
governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.
(b)
Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global
Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their
respective nominees. Beneficial owners may transfer their interests in Global
Securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
Depositary.
(c) Any
beneficial interest in one of the Global Securities that is transferred to a
person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Security
will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Security and become
an interest in such other Global Security and, accordingly, will thereafter be
subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to
beneficial interests in such other Global Security for as long as it remains
such an interest.
(d) The
registered Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize
any Person, including DTC Participants and Persons that may hold interests
through DTC Participants, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take
under this Indenture or the Securities.
(e) If at
any time:
(i) the
Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing
or able to continue to act as Depositary for the Global Securities or the
Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act,
and a successor depositary for the Global Securities is not appointed by the
Company within 90 days of such notice or cessation;
(ii) the
Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause
the issuance of the Securities in definitive form under this Indenture in
exchange for all or any part of the Securities represented by a Global Security
or Global Securities; or
(iii) an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a
request from the Depositary,
subject
to this Section 2.08(e), the Depositary shall surrender such Global Security or
Global Securities to the Trustee for cancellation and then the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such
Global Security or Global Securities, Physical Securities, as applicable, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security
or Global Securities. Such Physical Securities shall be registered in such names
as the Depositary shall identify in writing as the beneficial owners, or
participant nominees, of the Securities represented by such Global Security or
Securities (or any nominee thereof).
(f)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any transfer of a portion of
the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section 2.08, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Security
in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in such
Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Physical Securities of like
tenor and amount.
9
SECTION
2.09 Replacement
Securities.
If a
mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder of a Security
claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the
Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if
the requirements of the Trustee and the Company are met; provided that, if any such Security has been
called for redemption in accordance with the terms thereof, the Trustee may pay
the Redemption Price thereof on the Redemption Date without authenticating or
replacing such Security. The Trustee or the Company may, in either case, require
the Holder to provide an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of each of
the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent
from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced or if the
Redemption Price therefor is paid pursuant to this Section 2.09. The Company may
charge the Holder who has lost a Security for its expenses in replacing a
Security.
Every
replacement Security is an obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all
other Securities duly issued hereunder.
SECTION
2.10 Outstanding
Securities.
The
Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the
Trustee, except for (i) those cancelled by it, (ii) those delivered to it for
cancellation and (iii) those described in this Section as not
outstanding.
If a
Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09 hereof, it ceases to be
outstanding and interest ceases to accrue unless the Trustee receives proof
satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If all
principal of and interest on any Security are considered paid under Section 4.01
hereof, such Security ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to
accrue.
Except as
provided in Section 2.11 hereof, a Security does not cease to be outstanding
because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds such
Security.
SECTION
2.11 Treasury Securities.
In
determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of
Securities of any series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent,
Securities owned by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall be
considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which such Trustee actually knows
are so owned shall be so disregarded.
SECTION
2.12 Temporary Securities.
Until
definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate upon a written order of the Company
signed by one Officer of the Company, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities
shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have
variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.
Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare, and the Trustee shall
authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.
Holders of temporary Securities shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this
Indenture.
SECTION
2.13 Cancellation.
The
Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The
Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities
surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or
repurchase. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration
of transfer, exchange, payment, repurchase, redemption, replacement or
cancellation and shall return such cancelled Securities to the Company upon the
Company’s written request (subject to the record retention requirements of the
Exchange Act). The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities
that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
10
SECTION
2.14 CUSIP Numbers.
The
Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in
use), and the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice shall state that
no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as
printed on the Securities or as contained in any such notice and that reliance
may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or
omission of such numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any
change in the CUSIP numbers.
SECTION
2.15 Defaulted Interest.
If the
Company fails to make a payment of interest on Securities, it shall pay such
defaulted interest plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the
defaulted interest, in any lawful manner. It may elect to pay such defaulted
interest, plus any such interest payable on it, to the Persons who are Holders
of such Securities on which the interest is due on a subsequent special record
date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted
interest proposed to be paid on each such Security. The Company shall fix any
such record date and payment date for such payment. At least 15 days before any
such record date, the Company shall mail to Holders affected thereby a notice
that states the record date, interest payment date, and amount of such interest
to be paid.
SECTION
2.16 Special Record Dates.
The
Company may, but shall not be obligated to, set a record date for the purpose of
determining the identity of Holders of Securities entitled to consent to any
supplement, amendment or waiver permitted by this Indenture. If a record date is
fixed, the Holders of Securities outstanding on such record date, and no other
Holders, shall be entitled to consent to such supplement, amendment or waiver or
revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90
days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the aggregate
principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver
to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day
period.
ARTICLE
III
REDEMPTION
SECTION
3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the
Company elects to redeem any series of Securities pursuant to the optional
redemption provisions set forth in the supplemental indenture relating to such
series of Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the intended
Redemption Date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the CUSIP
numbers of the Securities to be redeemed. The Company shall give each notice to
the Trustee provided for in this Section 3.01 at least days fifteen (15) days
before the giving of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof
(unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee).
SECTION
3.02 Selection of Securities to Be
Redeemed.
If fewer
than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall
select the Securities of such series to be redeemed from the outstanding
Securities of such series by a method that complies with the requirements of any
exchange on which the Securities are listed, or, if the Securities are not
listed on an exchange, on a pro rata basis or by lot or in accordance with any
other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. The Trustee will make
the selection from outstanding Securities of that series not previously called
for redemption.
11
Securities
and portions thereof of any series that the Trustee selects shall be in amounts
equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities to be redeemed or
any integral multiple thereof. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of
the principal amount of Securities that have denominations larger than the
minimum denomination in which Securities of the applicable series may be issued.
Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of any series called for
redemption also apply to portions of Securities of such series called for
redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly in writing of the
Securities or portions of Securities of any series to be called for
redemption.
SECTION
3.03 Notice of Redemption.
At least
30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date, the Company shall
mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities
are to be redeemed in whole or in part at the address of such Holder appearing
in the Register.
The
notice shall identify the principal amount and series of each Security to be
redeemed and shall state:
(i) the
Redemption Date;
(ii) the
method being used to determine the Redemption Price;
(iii) if
fewer than all outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the portion of the
principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption
Date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security in principal amount equal
to the unredeemed portion will be issued;
(iv) the
name and address of the Paying Agent;
(v) that
Securities called for redemption must be presented and surrendered to the Paying
Agent to collect the Redemption Price plus accrued interest, if
any;
(vi)
that, unless the Company defaults in payment of the Redemption Price, interest
on Securities (or the portions thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue
interest on and after the Redemption Date, and, if applicable, those Securities
(or the portion thereof called for redemption) will cease on the Redemption Date
(or such other date as if provided in the supplemental indenture relating to the
Securities) to be convertible into, or exchangeable for, other securities or
assets;
(vii) if
applicable, the current conversion or exchange price; and
(viii)
the CUSIP numbers, if any, of the Securities to be redeemed.
At the
Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in
the Company’s name and at its expense.
SECTION
3.04 Effect of Notice of
Redemption.
Once the
notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become
irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price. Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the Redemption
Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date.
The
notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to
have been duly given whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any
case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the
Holder of any Securities shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the
redemption of Securities of any other Holder.
SECTION
3.05 Deposit of Redemption
Price.
Prior to
11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company is acting as the paying Agent, shall segregate and hold
in trust) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all
Securities to be redeemed on that date, together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the Redemption Date, except for Securities or portions thereof
called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee
for cancellation or Securities which have been surrendered for conversion or
exchange. If any Securities called for redemption are converted or exchanged,
any money deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent for redemption of those
Securities shall be promptly paid to the Company upon its request, or, if the
money is held in trust by the Company or a Subsidiary as Paying Agent, the money
will be discharged from the trust.
12
SECTION
3.06 Securities Redeemed in
Part.
Upon
surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and
the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company, a
new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security
surrendered.
SECTION
3.07 Holder's Right to Require
Redemption.
Holders
of Securities of a series will have the right to require the Company to redeem
those Securities only to the extent, and only on the terms, set forth in the
supplemental indenture relating to the Securities of that series. If Holders of
Securities of a series have the right to require the Company to redeem those
Securities, unless otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture relating to
the Securities of that series, the terms of the redemption will include those
set forth in Section 3.08.
SECTION
3.08 Procedure for Requiring
Redemption.
If a
Holder has the right to require the Company to redeem Securities, to exercise
that right, the Holder must deliver the Securities to the Paying Agent, endorsed
for transfer and with the form on the reverse side regarding the option to
require redemption completed. Delivery of Securities to the Paying Agent as
provided in this Section 3.07 will constitute an irrevocable election to cause
the specified principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. When Securities are
delivered to the Paying Agent as provided in this Section, unless the Company
fails to make the payments due as a result of the redemption within twenty (20)
days after the Securities are delivered to the Paying Agent, interest on the
Securities will cease to accrue and, if the Securities are convertible or
exchangeable, the Holder's right to convert or exchange the Securities will
terminate.
The
Company's determination of all questions regarding the validity, eligibility
(including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Security for redemption will
be final and binding.
ARTICLE
IV
COVENANTS
SECTION
4.01 Payment of Securities.
The
Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, the principal of and interest on the
Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and the
supplemental Indenture relating to the series. Principal and interest shall be
considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company,
a Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them, holds as of 11:00
a.m. (New York City time) on that date immediately available funds designated
for and sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due. If the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying
Agent, principal or interest shall be considered paid on the due date if the
entity acting as Paying Agent complies with the second paragraph of Section 2.05
hereof.
The
Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, and interest on
overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate per annum
specified therefor in the Securities.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company may, to the
extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other
similar taxes imposed by the United States of America from principal or interest
payments hereunder.
13
SECTION
4.02 Maintenance of Office or
Agency.
The
Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an
office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the
Trustee or Registrar) where the Securities may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall
give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the
location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain
any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the
address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made
or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The
Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or
agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or
rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain
an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for such
purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such
other office or agency.
The
Company hereby designates the New York office of the Trustee located at , as one such office
or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof.
SECTION
4.03 Reports.
(a) The
Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within fifteen (15) days after it files
them with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information,
documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing
as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required
to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and
posting of such reports on the Company’s web site shall be deemed delivery to
the Trustee; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to
deliver to the Trustee any materials for which the Company has sought and
received confidential treatment by the SEC. The Company shall also comply with
the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the TIA.
(b)
Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this
Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of
such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained
therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the
Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the
Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
SECTION
4.04 Compliance
Certificate.
The
Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each
fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate, one of the signers of
which is the chief executive officer, vice chairman, the chief financial
officer, executive vice president or the chief accounting officer of the
Company, stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their
duties as officers of the Company, they would normally have knowledge of any
failure by the Company to comply with all conditions, or Default by the Company
with respect to any covenants, under this Indenture, and further stating whether
or not they have knowledge of any such failure or Default and, if so, specifying
each such failure or Default, the nature and status thereof and what action the
Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. For purposes of this
Section, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided for in this Indenture. The certificate
need not comply with Section 12.04 hereof.
SECTION
4.05 Taxes.
The
Company shall pay prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and
governmental levies except as contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings.
14
SECTION
4.06 Corporate
Existence.
Subject
to Article V hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate
existence and (ii) the material rights (charter and statutory), licenses and
franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise
if the Board of Directors determines that the preservation thereof is no longer
in the best interests of the Company, and that the loss thereof is not adverse
in any material respect to the Holders.
ARTICLE
V
MERGER,
ETC.
SECTION
5.01 When Company May Merge,
etc.
The
Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, assign, transfer,
lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to,
any Person unless :
(i) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
other disposition shall have been made, is a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia;
(ii) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
other disposition shall have been made, expressly assumes by one or more
supplemental indentures satisfactory in form to the Trustee all of the
obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;
(iii)
immediately after such transaction, and giving effect thereto, no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or
lease and the supplemental indenture (or supplemental indentures together)
comply with this Article V and that all conditions precedent herein provided
relating to the transaction have been complied with.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company may merge with another Person or acquire by purchase
or otherwise all or any part of the property or assets of any other corporation
or Person in a transaction in which the surviving entity is the
Company.
SECTION
5.02 Successor Corporation
Substituted.
Upon any
consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company in
accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor
corporation had been named as the Company herein. In the event of any such sale
or conveyance, but not any such lease, the Company or any successor corporation
which thereafter will have become such in the manner described in this Article V
shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Securities and
this Indenture and may be dissolved, wound up or liquidated.
15
ARTICLE
VI
DEFAULTS
AND REMEDIES
SECTION
6.01 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default” with
respect to each series of the Securities occurs when any of the following
occurs:
(i) the
Company defaults in the payment of the principal, premium, or sinking fund
payment, if any, of any Security of such series when it becomes due and payable
at maturity, upon acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, unless the
time for payment is extended;
(ii) the
Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security of such series when
it becomes due and payable and such Default continues for a period of ninety
(90) days, unless the time for payment is extended;
(iii) the
Company fails to comply in any material respect with any of its other agreements
or covenants in, or provisions of, the Securities or this Indenture and the
Company and such Default continues for a period of ninety (90) days after the
Company receives written notice of such Default from the Trustee, or the Company
the Trustee receive written notice of such Default from the Holders of at least
51% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such
series;
(iv) the
Company or a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any
Bankruptcy Law:
(a)
commences a voluntary case or proceeding;
(b)
consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case
or proceeding;
(c)
consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of
its property; or
(d) makes
a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v) a
court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any applicable
Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is
for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary
case or proceeding against the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary;
(b)
appoints a Custodian for the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any
substantial part of its property; or
(c)
orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary,
and any
such order or decree under this clause (v) remains unstayed and in effect for
ninety (90) days.
Any
notice of default under clause (iii) of this Section 6.01 must specify the
Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of
Default.”
Each of
the occurrences described in clauses (i) through (v) of this Section 6.01 will
constitute an Event of Default whatever the reason for the occurrence and
whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or
pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or
regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
A Default
under clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section 6.01 with regard to Securities
of a particular series will not constitute a Default with regard to Securities
of any other series except to the extent, if any, provided in the supplemental
indenture relating to the other series.
16
SECTION
6.02 Acceleration.
If an
Event of Default with respect to any series of outstanding Securities (other
than an Event of Default specified in clause (iv) or (v) of Section 6.01 hereof)
occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 51% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the applicable
series, by written notice to the Company, and to the Trustee if notice is given
by such Holders, may declare due and payable the unpaid principal amount of all
Securities of such series plus any unpaid premium or accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of payment. Upon a declaration of acceleration,
such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of payment
shall be due and payable.
If an
Event of Default specified in clause (iv) or (v) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs,
all unpaid principal, premium and accrued interest on the Securities shall
become and be immediately due and payable without any notice, declaration or
other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
The
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any outstanding series of
Securities by written notice to the Trustee may rescind and annul an
acceleration and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other
than the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Securities which
have become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived
and (ii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a
court of competent jurisdiction. Such rescission or annulment will not extend to
any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
SECTION
6.03 Other Remedies.
If an
Event of Default with respect to any series of outstanding Securities occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law
or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on such series
of Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of such series of
Securities or this Indenture.
The
Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the
Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing
upon the Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a
waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any
other remedy. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by
law.
SECTION
6.04 Waiver of Past
Defaults.
Subject
to Sections 6.07 and 9.02 hereof, the Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of any series of outstanding Securities by notice to
the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default except a Default
or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on such
series of Securities (provided, however, that, subject to Section 6.07, the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding
Securities may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any
related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). When a Default or
Event of Default is waived, it is deemed cured and ceases, but no waiver will
extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent
right.
SECTION
6.05 Control by Majority.
The
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of any outstanding
series of Securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction
that (i) conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii) the Trustee determines may
be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Securities of such
series or (iii) may involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may
take any other action that it deems proper which is not inconsistent with any
such direction.
SECTION
6.06 Limitation on Suits.
Subject
to the provisions of Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of Securities of any series
may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such
series unless:
(i) the
Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is
continuing;
17
(ii) the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of
Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;
(iii)
such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against any loss, liability, cost or expense;
(iv) the
Trustee does not comply with the request within sixty (60) days after receipt of
the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(v)
during such 60-day period, the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of such series of Securities do not give the Trustee a
direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder
may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to
obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
SECTION
6.07 Rights of Holders To Receive Payment and
to Demand Conversion.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to
receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the
Security (and interest on overdue principal and interest on overdue installments
of interest, if any, as provided in Section 4.01) on or after the respective due
dates expressed or provided for in the Security, or in the case of redemption,
on or after the Redemption Date, or in the case of conversion or exchange, to
receive the security issuable upon conversion or exchange, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, conversion or exchange on or after such
respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the
Holder.
SECTION
6.08 Collection Suit by
Trustee.
If an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is
continuing with respect to the Securities, the Trustee may recover judgment in
its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company (and any
other obligor on the Securities) for the whole amount of principal, premium, if
any, and accrued interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the outstanding
Securities, together with (to the extent lawful) interest on overdue principal
and interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs
and, to the extent lawful, expenses of collection, including the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08
hereof.
SECTION
6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of
Claim.
The
Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the
Holders allowed in any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be
entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other property
payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any
custodian in any such judicial proceedings is hereby authorized by each Holder
to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall
consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the
Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof. Nothing contained in this
Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or
accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder
thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any
Holder in any such proceeding.
SECTION
6.10 Priorities.
If the
Trustee collects any amount of money with respect to the Securities pursuant to
this Article VI, subject to Article XI, it shall pay out the money in the
following order:
18
(First) to the Trustee, its
agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.08 hereof, including
payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances
made by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
(Second) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid
on the Securities for principal and interest, if any, ratably, without
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on
the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
(Third) to the Company, or to such party as a
court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
The
Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and
payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. The
Trustee shall notify the Company in writing reasonably in advance of any such
record date and payment date.
SECTION
6.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any
suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any
suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a
court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit
of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion
may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses,
against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11
does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section
6.06 hereof, a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of
any outstanding series of Securities, or to any suit instituted by any Holder
for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on any Security held by that Holder on or after the due date provided
in the Security or to any suit for the enforcement of the right to convert or
exchange any Security in accordance with the provisions of a supplemental
indenture applicable to that Security.
SECTION
6.12 Stay, Extension and Usury
Laws.
The
Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not
at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim and will
resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the benefit or advantage of,
any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter
in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any
portion of the principal of, premium, if any, and/or interest on any of the
Securities as contemplated in this Indenture or a supplemental indenture, or
which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the
Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all
benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort
to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein
granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such
power as though no such law has been enacted.
SECTION
6.13 Restoration of
Positions.
If a
judicial proceeding by the Trustee or a Holder to enforce any right or remedy
under this Indenture or any supplemental indenture has been discontinued or
abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to
such Holder, then and in every such case, except as otherwise provided in the
judicial proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders will be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION
6.14 Liability of Stockholders, Officers,
Directors and Incorporators.
No
stockholder, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or
future, of the Company, or any of its successor corporations, will have any
personal liability in respect of the Company's obligations under this Indenture
or any Securities by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, officer,
director or incorporator; provided,
however, that nothing in
this Indenture or in the Securities will prevent recourse to and enforcement of
the liability of any holder or subscriber to common or preferred stock of the
Company which has not been fully paid up.
19
ARTICLE
VII
TRUSTEE
SECTION
7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an
Event of Default with respect to the Securities has occurred and is continuing,
the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
such person’s own affairs.
(b)
Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the
Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this
Indenture or the TIA, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in
the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to
the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed
therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming
to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the case of any such
certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required
to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not, on their face, they conform to the
requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy
of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The
Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own
negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct except that:
(1) this
paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section
7.01;
(2) the
Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
Trust Officer or other officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the
Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section
6.05 hereof.
(d)
Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture
that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to this Section 7.01 and to
the provisions of the TIA.
(e) No
provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own
funds or incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
under this Indenture or in the exercise of any of its right or power. The
Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it
receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, cost or
expense (including, without limitation, reasonable fees of
counsel).
(f)
The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney
at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional
liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(g)
The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the
Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are
extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities
hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act
hereunder.
20
SECTION
7.02 Rights of Trustee.
Subject
to Section 315(a) through (d) of the TIA:
(a) The
Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and
to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b)
Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’
Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both. The Trustee shall not be liable
for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the
Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The
Trustee may act through attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for
the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with due
care.
(d) The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good
faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred
upon it by this Indenture, unless the Trustee’s conduct constitutes willful
misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
(e) The
Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel
as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f)
Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request,
direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer
of the Company.
(g) The
Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting
forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time
to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’
Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’
Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such
certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(h) The
Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers
vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders
pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction.
(i) In no
event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special or indirect loss or
damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit)
irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such
loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(j) The
Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default
unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or
unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received
by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice
references the Securities and this Indenture.
SECTION
7.03 Individual Rights of
Trustee.
The
Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee
of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in
the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as such term is
defined in Section 3.10(b) of the TIA), it must eliminate such conflict within
ninety (90) days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (to the
extent permitted under Section 310(b) of the TIA) or resign. Any agent may do
the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections
7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
SECTION
7.04 Money Held in Trust.
Money or
U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder
except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
21
SECTION
7.05 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The
Trustee (i) is not responsible for and makes no representation as to the
validity or adequacy of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture or the
Securities, (ii) will not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds
from the Securities, (iii) will not be responsible for any statement in the
Securities, this Indenture or any supplemental indenture, other than its
certificate of authentication, and (iv) will not be responsible for any
statement in any prospectus used in the sales of the Securities, other than
statements, if any, provided in writing by the Trustee for use in such a
prospectus.
SECTION
7.06 Notice of Defaults.
If a
Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities occurs and is
continuing, and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail
to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days
after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a Default or Event of
Default in payment of any such Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if
and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the
interests of the Holders.
SECTION
7.07 Reports by Trustee to
Holders.
The
Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its
actions under this Indenture as may be required by Section 313 of the TIA at the
times and in the manner provided by the TIA, which initially shall be not less
than every twelve (12) months, which report may be dated as of a date up to 75
days prior to such transmission.
A copy of
each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC,
if required, and each stock exchange, if any, on which the Securities are
listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities become
listed on any stock exchange.
SECTION
7.08 Compensation and
Indemnity.
The
Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be
agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee for its services
hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on
compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the
Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses
incurred by it, including in particular, but without limitation, those incurred
in connection with the enforcement of any remedies hereunder. Such expenses may
include the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Trustee’s agents
and counsel.
Except as
set forth in the next paragraph, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Trustee and any predecessor trustee against any and all loss, liability,
damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured
by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust under this
Indenture. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim of which
it has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. The Company
shall defend such claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in such defense. The
Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees
and out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel.
The
Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent. The Company
need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability, cost or
expense incurred by the Trustee through its own negligence, willful misconduct
or bad faith.
To secure
the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.08, the Trustee shall have a
lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the
Trustee, except that held in trust to pay the principal of and interest on
particular Securities. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due
under this Section 7.08 will not be subordinate to any other liability or
indebtedness of the Company.
22
The
Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.08 shall survive the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses
or renders services after an Event of Default specified in clause (iv) or (v) of
Section 6.01 hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services
are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy
Law.
For the
purpose of this Section 7.08, “Trustee” will include any predecessor Trustee,
but the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee will not
affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 7.08, except for a
successor Trustee pursuant to Section 7.10.
SECTION
7.09 Replacement of
Trustee.
A
resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee
shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section 7.09.
The
Trustee may resign and be discharged from the trust hereby created with respect
to the Securities by so notifying the Company in writing. The Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may
remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The
Company must remove the Trustee if:
(i) the
Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof or Section 310 of the
TIA;
(ii) the
Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered
with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) a
Custodian, receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or
(iv) the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the
Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of the
Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee
for the Securities. The Trustee shall be entitled to payment of its fees and
reimbursement of its expenses while acting as Trustee. Within one (1) year after
the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Securities may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the
Company.
Any
Holder of Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee if the Trustee
fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof.
If an
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to
the Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of
resignation or removal, the resigning or removed Trustee, as the case may be,
may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction
for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities.
A
successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the
retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have
all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The
Company shall mail a notice of the successor Trustee’s succession to the
Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as
Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section
7.08 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.08 hereof shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee with respect to expenses, losses and liabilities
incurred by it prior to such replacement.
SECTION
7.10 Successor Trustee by Merger,
Etc.
Subject
to Section 7.09 hereof, if the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts
into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to,
another corporation or national banking association, the successor entity
without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
23
If at the
time a successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee succeeds
to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities have been
authenticated but not delivered, the successor to the Trustee may adopt the
certificate of authentication of the predecessor Trustee, and deliver the
Securities which were authenticated by the predecessor Trustee; and if at that
time any of the Securities have not been authenticated, the successor to the
Trustee may authenticate those Securities either in the name of the predecessor
or in its own name as the successor to the Trustee; and in either case the
certificates of authentication will have the full force provided in this
Indenture for certificates of authentication.
SECTION
7.11 Eligibility;
Disqualification.
The
Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a)(1), (2)
and (5) of the TIA. The Trustee shall at all times have a combined capital and
surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual
report of condition, which will be deemed for this paragraph to be its combined
capital and surplus. The Trustee is subject to Section 310(b) of the TIA,
including the optional provision permitted by the second sentence of Section
310(b)(9) of the TIA.
SECTION
7.12 Preferential Collection of Claims Against
the Company.
The
Trustee is subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor
relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or
been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent
indicated therein.
ARTICLE
VIII
DISCHARGE
OF INDENTURE
SECTION
8.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of
Indenture.
This
Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights
of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided
for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
when:
(i)
either:
(a) all
Securities previously authenticated and delivered (other than Securities which
have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all
such Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have
become due and payable (whether at stated maturity, early redemption or
otherwise);
and, in
the case of clause (b) above, the Company has deposited, or caused to be
deposited, irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose
of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and
dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of Securities, cash in U.S.
dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest
and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide
(and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such
Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an
amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, to pay principal of and interest on all the Securities
on the dates such payments of principal or interest are due to maturity or
redemption;
(ii) the
Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the
Company with respect to the Securities; and
24
(iii) the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating
to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the
Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding
the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company
to the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof shall survive, and, if money will have
been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (i) of this
Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Sections 8.02 and 8.05 hereof
shall survive.
SECTION
8.02 Application of Trust Funds;
Indemnification.
(a)
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05 hereof, all money and U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04
hereof and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government
Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04
hereof, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the
provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly
or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the persons
entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has
been deposited with or received by the Trustee.
(b) The
Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other
charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations deposited
pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04 hereof or the interest and principal
received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf
of Holders.
(c) The
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request
of the Company any U.S. Government Obligations or money held by it as provided
in Sections 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are then in excess of
the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the
purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or money were deposited or
received. This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S.
Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
SECTION
8.03 Legal Defeasance.
(a) The
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with
respect to all of the outstanding Securities of any series on the 91st day after
the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, and the
provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such series of outstanding
Securities, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall, upon the request of the Company, execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except as to:
(i) the
rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust
funds described in subparagraph (a) hereof, payments of the principal of or
interest on the outstanding Securities of such series on the date such payments
are due;
(ii) the
Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under
Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 hereof; and
(iii) the
rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the duties of
the Trustee under Section 8.02 hereof and the duty of the Trustee to
authenticate Securities of such series issued on registration of transfer of
exchange;
provided that the following conditions shall
have been satisfied:
(a) the
Company shall have deposited, or caused to be deposited, irrevocably with the
Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following
payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the
benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities, cash in U.S. dollars and/or
U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal
in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without
reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Trustee), not
later than one day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in
cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, to pay principal of and interest on all the Securities of such series
on the dates such payments of principal or interest are due to maturity or
redemption;
25
(b) such
deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default
under, this Indenture;
(c) no
Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have
occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and 91 days shall have
passed after the deposit has been made, and, during such 91 day period, no
Default specified in Section 6.01(iv) or (v) hereof with respect to the Company
occurs which is continuing at the end of such period;
(d) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or
there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since
the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of such series
of Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and
discharge had not occurred;
(e) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating
that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the
Holders of such series of Securities over any other creditors of the Company or
with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other
creditors of the Company;
(f) such
deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an
“investment company” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from
regulation thereunder; and
(g) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the
defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied
with.
SECTION
8.04 Covenant Defeasance.
On and
after the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a)
hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set
forth under Sections 4.03(a), 4.04, and 4.05 hereof as well as any additional
covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto (and the failure to
comply with any such provisions shall not constitute a Default or Event of
Default under Section 6.01 hereof) and the occurrence of any event described in
clause (iii) of Section 6.01 hereof shall not constitute a Default or Event of
Default hereunder, with respect to any series of Securities, provided that the following conditions shall
have been satisfied:
(i) with
reference to this Section 8.04, the Company has deposited, or caused to be
deposited, irrevocably (except as provided in Section 8.05 hereof) with the
Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and
dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such series of Securities,
cash in U.S. dollars and/or U.S. Government Obligations which through the
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof, in accordance with their
terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will
be imposed on such Trustee), not later than one day before the due date of any
payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay principal and
interest on all the Securities of such series on the dates such payments of
principal and interest are due to maturity or redemption;
26
(ii) such
deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default
under, this Indenture;
(iii) no
Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have
occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit and 91 days shall have
passed after the deposit has been made, and, during such 91 day period, no
Default specified in Section 6.01(iv) or (v) hereof with respect to the Company
occurs which is continuing at the end of such period;
(iv) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming
that Holders of such series of Securities will not recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and
defeasance had not occurred;
(v) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the
deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of
such series of Securities over any other creditors of the Company or with the
intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of
the Company;
(vi) such
deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an
“investment company” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from
regulation thereunder; and
(vii) the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided
for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.04 have been
complied with.
SECTION
8.05 Repayment to Company.
The
Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money
held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for
two (2) years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due.
After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property
law designates another Person.
SECTION
8.06 Reinstatement.
If the
Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money deposited with respect
to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any
legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or
governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to
the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be
revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section
8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply
all such money in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company has made any
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest with respect to any
Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be
subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such
payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.
ARTICLE
IX
AMENDMENTS,
SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION
9.01 Without Consent of
Holders.
Without
the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may, at any time, amend
this Indenture, the Securities to:
27
(i) cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, provided that such change does not
adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder in any material
respect;
(ii)
provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated
Securities or to alter the provisions of Article II hereof (including the
related definitions) in a manner that does not materially adversely affect any
Holder;
(iii)
provide for the assumption of the Company’s obligations to the Holders of
Securities in the case of a merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition
of assets pursuant to Article V hereof;
(iv)
comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, provided that such change does not adversely
affect the rights hereunder of any Holder in any material respect;
(v) add
to the covenants of the Company and any other restrictions, conditions or
provisions for the benefit of the Holders, to make the occurrence, or the
occurrence and the continuance, of a Default under any such additional
covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default under this
Indenture, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
Company;
(vi) add
to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the
authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, or authentication and delivery
of Securities, provided that such change
does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder in any material
respect;
(vii)
secure the Securities of any series;
(viii)
make appropriate provision in connection with the appointment of any successor
Trustee; or
(ix) make
any other change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the
rights hereunder of any Holder.
Upon the
request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and
upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof,
the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amended or
supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture
and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be
therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such
amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or
immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION
9.02 With Consent of
Holders.
Except as
provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture, the Securities may be
amended or supplemented, and noncompliance in any particular instance with any
provision of this Indenture or the Securities may be waived, in each case with
the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Securities affected thereby; provided, however, that any amendment to or supplement
of this Indenture or the Securities that by its terms affects the rights of
Holders of any series of then outstanding Securities but not the others series
may be effected, and any default or compliance with any provision of this
Indenture affecting the Holders of any series of then outstanding Securities but
not the other series may be waived, with the consent of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the affected
series.
Without
the consent of each Holder of Securities that is affected thereby, an amendment
or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:
(i)
reduce the aggregate principal amount of Securities of any series the Holders of
which must consent to an amendment, supplement modification or waiver of any
provision of this Indenture;
(ii)
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any series of
Securities;
(iii)
reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of any series of
Securities;
28
(iv)
change the date on which any Security of any of series may be subject to
redemption, or reduce the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase
thereof;
(v) make
any Security of any series payable in currency other than that stated in the
Security;
(vi)
modify or change any provision of this Indenture affecting the ranking of the
Securities of any series in a manner which adversely affects the Holders
thereof;
(vii)
impair the right of any Holder of Securities to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment in or with respect to any such series of Securities;
or
(viii)
make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions which require
each Holder’s consent.
It shall
not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to
approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be
sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an
amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall
mail to Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment or
waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein,
shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended
or supplemental indenture or waiver.
SECTION
9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture
Act.
Every
amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall be set forth in a
supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in
effect.
SECTION
9.04 Revocation and Effect of
Consents.
Until an
amendment, supplement modification or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it
by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of
a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the
consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any
Security; provided, however, that unless a record date shall have
been established pursuant to Section 2.16 hereof, any such Holder or subsequent
Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security if the
Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment,
supplement, modification or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement
modification or waiver becomes effective on receipt by the Trustee of consents
from the Holders of the requisite percentage principal amount of the outstanding
Securities, and thereafter shall bind every Holder of Securities; provided, however, if the amendment, supplement
modification or waiver makes a change described in any of the clauses (i)
through (viii) of Section 9.02 hereof, the amendment, supplement, modification
or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Security which has consented to it
and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that
evidences the same indebtedness as the consenting Holder’s
Security.
SECTION
9.05 Notation on or Exchange of
Securities.
If an
amendment, supplement, modification or waiver changes the terms of a
Security:
(a) the
Trustee may require the Holder of a Security to deliver such Security to the
Trustee, the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the
changed terms and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an
appropriate notation on any Security thereafter authenticated; or
(b) if
the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the
Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that
reflects the changed terms.
Failure
to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the
validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
29
SECTION
9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendment,
etc.
The
Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the
amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or
immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In
signing or refusing to sign such amendment, the Trustee shall be provided with
and shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE
X
CONVERSION
OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
SECTION
10.01 Provisions Relating to
Conversion or Exchange of Securities.
Any
rights which Holders of Securities of a series will have to convert those
Securities into other securities of the Company or to exchange those Securities
for securities of other Persons or other assets, including but not limited to
the terms of the conversion or exchange and the circumstances, if any, under
which those terms will be adjusted to prevent dilution or otherwise, will be set
forth in an Indenture supplemental hereto relating to the series of Securities.
In the absence of provisions in a supplemental Indenture relating to a series of
Securities setting forth rights to convert or exchange the Securities of that
series into or for other securities or assets, Holders of the Securities of that
series will not have any such rights.
ARTICLE
XI
SINKING
OR PURCHASE FUNDS
SECTION
11.01 Provisions
Relating to Sinking or Purchase Funds.
Any
requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to make at its
option, payments prior to maturity of the Securities of a series which will be
used as a fund with which to redeem or to purchase Securities of that series,
including but not limited to provisions regarding the amount of the payments,
when the Company will be required, or will have the option, to make the payments
and when the payments will be applied, will be set forth in an Indenture
supplemental hereto relating to the series of Securities. In the absence of
provisions in a supplemental Indenture relating to a series of Securities
setting forth requirements that the Company make, or rights of the Company to
make at its option, payments to be used as a fund with which to redeem or
purchase Securities of the series, the Company will not be subject to any such
requirements and will not have any such rights. However, unless otherwise
specifically provided in a supplemental Indenture relating to a series of
Securities, the Company will at all times have the right to purchase Securities
from Holders in market transactions or otherwise.
ARTICLE
XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
12.01 Trust Indenture Act
Controls.
This
Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA which are required to be part
of this Indenture, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such
provisions.
SECTION
12.02 Notices.
Any
notice or communication to the Company or the Trustee is duly given if in
writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail to the address set
forth below:
If to the
Company:
30
with a
copy to:
If to the
Trustee:
__________________
__________________
Attention:
_________
The
Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate additional or
different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any
notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his
address shown on the Register kept by the Registrar. Failure to mail a notice or
communication to a Holder or any defect in such notice or communication shall
not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a
notice or communication is mailed or sent in the manner provided above within
the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it,
except that notice to the Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof
by the Trustee.
If by
reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other
cause, it is impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture or any
supplemental indenture, then any method of notification which is approved by the
Trustee will constitute a sufficient mailing of the notice.
If the
Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the
Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
SECTION
12.03 Communication by Holders with Other
Holders.
Holders
may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with
respect to their rights under the Securities or this Indenture. The Company, the
Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section
312(c) of the TIA.
SECTION
12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions
Precedent.
Upon any
request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under
this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an
Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section
12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the
proposed action have been complied with;
(ii) an
Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section
12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent and covenants have been complied with; and
(ii) such
other opinions and certificates as may be required by applicable provisions of
this Indenture or an applicable supplemental indenture.
SECTION
12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or
Opinion.
Each
certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof)
or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Indenture shall include:
31
(i) a
statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such
covenant or condition;
(ii) a
brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation
upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion
are based;
(iii) a
statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he or she has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and
(iv) a
statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such
condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact,
an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificate of
public officials.
SECTION
12.06 Rules by Trustee and
Agents.
The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or for a meeting of Holders. The
Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable
requirements for its functions.
SECTION
12.07 Legal Holidays.
A “Legal Holiday” is a
Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New
York are not required or authorized to be open. If a payment date is a Legal
Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next
succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the
intervening period.
SECTION
12.08 Duplicate Originals.
The
parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. One signed copy is
enough to prove this Indenture.
SECTION
12.09 Governing Law.
This
Indenture, each supplemental indenture and the Securities shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New
York.
SECTION
12.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other
Agreements.
This
Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Any such indenture, loan or debt
agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
SECTION
12.11 Successors.
All
agreements of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture shall bind
their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture
shall bind its successor.
SECTION
12.12 Severability.
In the
event any provision in the Securities or in this Indenture is invalid, illegal
or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION
12.13 Counterpart
Originals.
This
Indenture may be signed in one or more counterparts. Each signed copy shall be
an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.
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SECTION
12.14 Submission to
Jurisdiction.
By the
execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company submits to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of any federal or state court in the State of New York
with respect to all matters related to this Indenture, any supplemental
indenture and the Securities.
SECTION
12.15 Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF
THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION
12.16 Force Majeure.
In no
event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the
performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly
or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation,
strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military
disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions,
loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and
hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable
efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to
resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION
12.17 Supplemental Indentures
Contract..
If any
provision of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture relating to a series of
Securities is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, the provisions
of the supplemental indenture will control with regard to the Securities of the
series to which it relates.
SECTION
12.18 Table of Contents, Headings,
etc.
The table
of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of
this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only. They are
not to be considered a part of this Indenture, and will in no way modify or
restrict any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture.
SECTION
12.19 When Treasury Securities
Disregarded.
In
determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities
have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the
Company, or anyone under direct or indirect control or under direct or indirect
common control with the Company will be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee
will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only
Securities which the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.
Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith will not be
disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the
pledgee's right to act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is
not the Company or a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by,
or under common control with, the Company. Nothing in this Section 12.19 will be
construed as requiring that the Company furnish to the Trustee any evidence of
compliance with the conditions and covenants provided for in the Indenture other
than the evidence specified in this Section 12.19.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed, as of the day and year first above written.
HONG
KONG HIGHPOWER
TECHNOLOGY,
INC.
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