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EXHIBIT 4.3
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US XCHANGE, L.L.C.,
Issuer
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
Trustee
_________________
Indenture
Dated as of June 25, 1998
_________________
15% Senior Notes due 2008
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Sections Indenture Sections
Section 310(a)(1)............................................................ 7.10
(a)(2)............................................................ 7.10
(b)............................................................... 7.03; 7.08
Section 311(a)............................................................... 7.03
(b)............................................................... 7.03
Section 312(a)............................................................... 2.04
(b)............................................................... 11.02
(c)............................................................... 11.02
Section 313(a)............................................................... 7.06
(b)(1)............................................................ 10.01
(b)(2)............................................................ 7.07
(c)............................................................... 7.05; 7.06; 11.02
(d)............................................................... 7.06
Section 314(a)............................................................... 4.16; 4.17; 4.18; 7.05; 11.02
(b)............................................................... 10.01
(c)(1)............................................................ 11.03
(c)(2)............................................................ 11.03
(d)............................................................... 10.01
(e)............................................................... 4.17; 11.04
Section 315(a)............................................................... 7.01; 7.02
(b)............................................................... 7.05; 11.02
(c)............................................................... 7.02
(d)............................................................... 7.02
(e)............................................................... 6.11
Section 316(a)(1)(A)......................................................... 6.05
(a)(1)(B)......................................................... 6.04
(b)............................................................... 6.07
(c)............................................................... 9.03
Section 317(a)(1)............................................................ 6.08
(a)(2)............................................................ 6.09
(b)............................................................... 2.05
Section 318(a)............................................................... 11.01
(c)............................................................... 11.01
Note: The Cross-Reference Table shall not for any purpose be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE; AND RULES OF
CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 1.01. Definitions....................................................................................1
SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.............................................23
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction.........................................................................24
ARTICLE TWO THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating...............................................................................24
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends...........................................................................26
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations...................................................28
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent....................................................................28
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust...........................................................29
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.........................................................................30
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes........................................................31
SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions...................................................................32
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes.............................................................................35
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes.............................................................................36
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes...............................................................................36
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation..................................................................................37
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers.................................................................................37
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest............................................................................37
SECTION 2.15. Issuance of Additional Notes..................................................................37
ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Redemption Upon Receipt of Public Equity Offering Proceeds....................................38
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee............................................................................38
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.............................................................38
SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption..........................................................................38
SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption................................................................39
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price...................................................................40
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption........................................................40
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part........................................................................40
ARTICLE FOUR - COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes..............................................................................40
Note: The Table of Contents shall not for any purposes be deemed to be a part
Indenture.
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SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency...............................................................41
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness....................................................................41
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments.............................................................44
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.......47
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries...............48
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries..............................48
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and Affiliates...................................49
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens...........................................................................50
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.....................................................50
SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Asset Sales.....................................................................51
SECTION 4.12. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control..................................................52
SECTION 4.13. Existence.....................................................................................52
SECTION 4.14. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.............................................................53
SECTION 4.15. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.......................................................53
SECTION 4.16. Notice of Defaults............................................................................53
SECTION 4.17. Compliance Certificates.......................................................................54
SECTION 4.18. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders.....................................................54
SECTION 4.19. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.......................................................55
ARTICLE FIVE - SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc...................................................................55
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted.........................................................................56
ARTICLE SIX - DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.............................................................................56
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration..................................................................................58
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies................................................................................59
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.......................................................................59
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority...........................................................................59
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits...........................................................................60
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment..........................................................60
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee....................................................................60
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..............................................................61
SECTION 6.10. Priorities....................................................................................61
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.........................................................................61
SECTION 6.12. Restoration of Rights and Remedies............................................................62
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative................................................................62
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver..................................................................62
ARTICLE SEVEN - TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. General.......................................................................................62
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SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee.....................................................................63
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee..................................................................64
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer..........................................................................64
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default.............................................................................64
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.................................................................64
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity....................................................................64
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee........................................................................65
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc..............................................................67
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility...................................................................................67
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust...........................................................................67
ARTICLE EIGHT - DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations..........................................................67
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture.........................................................68
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations.............................................................70
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money....................................................................72
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company..........................................................................73
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement.................................................................................73
ARTICLE NINE - AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders....................................................................73
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders.......................................................................74
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent..............................................................75
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes..............................................................76
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc...............................................................76
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...........................................................76
ARTICLE TEN - SECURITY
SECTION 10.01. Security.....................................................................................76
ARTICLE ELEVEN - MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939..................................................................79
SECTION 11.02. Notices......................................................................................79
SECTION 11.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent...........................................80
SECTION 11.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion................................................80
SECTION 11.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar..................................................81
SECTION 11.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day.......................................................81
SECTION 11.07. Governing Law................................................................................81
SECTION 11.08. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements................................................81
SECTION 11.09. No Recourse Against Others...................................................................81
SECTION 11.10. Successors...................................................................................82
SECTION 11.11. Duplicate Originals..........................................................................82
SECTION 11.12. Separability.................................................................................82
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SECTION 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.............................................................82
EXHIBIT A Form of Note.........................................................................................A-1
EXHIBIT B Form of Certificate..................................................................................B-1
EXHIBIT C Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers Pursuant to Non-QIB Accredited Investors...........................................C-1
EXHIBIT D Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S...........................................................D-1
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INDENTURE, dated as of June 25, 1998, between US XCHANGE, L.L.C., a
Michigan limited liability company (the "Company"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a
New York banking corporation, trustee (the "Trustee").
RECITALS
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance initially of up to $200,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 15% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
issuable as provided in this Indenture. All things necessary to make this
Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have
been done, and the Company has done all things necessary to make the Notes, when
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee hereunder
and duly issued by the Company, valid obligations of the Company as hereinafter
provided.
The Notes will be partially secured pursuant to the terms of a Pledge
Agreement (as defined herein) by Pledged Securities as provided by Article Ten
of this Indenture.
This Indenture is subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions
of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be a part
of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
AND THIS INDENTURE FURTHER WITNESSETH
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows.
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE;
AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the
time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with
an Asset Acquisition by a Restricted Subsidiary and not Incurred in connection
with, or in anticipation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or
such Asset Acquisition.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the aggregate
net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period determined in conformity
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with GAAP; provided that the following items shall be excluded in computing
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) the net income (or
loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except (x) with respect
to net income, to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions
actually paid to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such
Person during such period and (y) with respect to net losses, to the extent of
the amount of Investments made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
such Person during such period; (ii) solely for the purposes of calculating the
amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (C) of the
first paragraph of Section 4.04 (and in such case, except to the extent
includable pursuant to clause (i) above), the net income (or loss) of any Person
accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into
or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or all or
substantially all of the property and assets of such Person are acquired by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the net income of any
Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends
or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income is not
at the time permitted by the operation of the terms of its charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental
regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) any gains or losses
(on an after-tax basis) attributable to Asset Sales; (v) except for purposes of
calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to
clause (C) of the first paragraph of Section 4.04, any amount paid or accrued as
dividends on Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owned
by Persons other than the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi)
all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses; and (vii) any compensation
expense paid or payable solely with Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) of the Company or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.
"Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total amount of
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (less applicable
depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves), except to the extent
resulting from write-ups of capital assets (excluding write-ups in connection
with accounting for acquisitions in conformity with GAAP), after deducting
therefrom (i) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (excluding intercompany items) and (ii) all goodwill, trade names,
trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
prepared in conformity with GAAP and filed with the Commission or provided to
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.18.
"Affiliate" means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of Voting Stock, including, without limitation, membership interests,
by contract or otherwise.
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"Agent" means any Registrar, Co-Registrar, Paying Agent or
authenticating agent.
"Agent Members" has the meaning provided in Section 2.07(a).
"Articles of Organization" means the Articles of Organization filed by
the Company in the state of Michigan on August 5, 1996.
"Asset Acquisition" means (i) an investment by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person
shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be merged into or consolidated
with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such
Person's primary business is similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such
investment or (ii) an acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the property and assets of any Person other than the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that constitute substantially all of a
division, operating unit or line of business of such Person; provided that the
property and assets acquired are similar, related, ancillary or complementary to
the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of
such acquisition.
"Asset Sale" means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including
by way of merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction) in one
transaction or a series of related transactions by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of (i) all or any of the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary, (ii) all or substantially all of the property and assets of an
operating unit or business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
or (iii) any other property and assets (other than the Capital Stock or other
Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business of the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary and, in each case, that is not governed by Article
Five; provided that "Asset Sale" shall not include (a) sales, transfers or other
dispositions of inventory, receivables and other current assets, (b) sales,
transfers or other dispositions of assets constituting a Restricted Payment
permitted to be made under Section 4.04, (c) sales, transfers or other
dispositions of assets with a fair market value (as certified in an Officers'
Certificate) not in excess of $2 million in any transaction or series of related
transactions, (d) sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets for
consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or
disposed of, to the extent that the consideration received would constitute
property or assets of the kind described in clause (B) of the first paragraph of
Section 4.11, (e) a disposition of cash or Temporary Cash Investments, (f) the
lease, assignment of a lease or sublease of any real or personal property in the
ordinary course of business, (g) foreclosures on assets, (h) pledges of assets
or stock by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries otherwise
permitted under this Indenture, including such pledges securing Indebtedness
under the Credit Agreement or (i) sale-leaseback transactions permitted
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to be made under Section 4.10.
"Average Life" means, at any date of determination with respect to any
debt security, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the proceeds of
(a) the number of years from such date of determination to the dates of each
successive scheduled principal payment of such debt security and (b) the amount
of such principal payment payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal
payments.
"Board of Directors" means, with respect to any Person, the members,
board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person duly authorized
to act under this Indenture.
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
"Business Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in The City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized by law to close.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the
Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all Common
Stock, Preferred Stock or Membership Interests.
"Capitalized Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) of which the discounted present value
of the rental obligations of such Person as lessee, in conformity with GAAP, is
required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, as of any time, the liability in
respect of a Capitalized Lease that would at such time be required to be
capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
"Change of Control" means such time as (i) (a) prior to the occurrence
of a Public Market, a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Voting Stock representing a
greater percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company,
on a fully diluted basis, than is beneficially owned by the Existing Controlling
Holder on such date and (b) after the occurrence of a Public Market, a "person"
or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act) becomes the ultimate "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of
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more than 35% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis and such ownership represents a greater percentage of the
total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a fully diluted basis,
than is held by the Existing Controlling Holder on such date; or (ii)
individuals who on the Closing Date constitute the Board of Directors (together
with any new Directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose
nomination by the Board of Directors for election by the holders of the
Company's Voting Stock was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the
members of the Board of Directors then in office who either were members of the
Board of Directors on the Closing Date or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued
under this Indenture.
"Collateral Agent" means the party named as such in the first paragraph
of the Pledge Agreement until a successor replaces it in accordance with the
provisions therein and thereafter means such successor.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time
to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at
such time.
"Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether
voting or non-voting) of such Person's equity, other than Preferred Stock of
such Person, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter,
including, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.
"Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to Article Five of this
Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
"Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of
the Company (i) by its Chairman or any Co-Chairman, a Vice Chairman, its Chief
Executive Officer, its President or a Vice President and (ii) by its Chief
Financial Officer or Principal Accounting Officer and delivered to the Trustee;
provided, however, that such written request or order may be signed by any two
of the officers or directors listed in clause (i) above in lieu of being signed
by one of such officers or directors listed in such clause (i) and one of the
officers listed in clause (ii) above.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income for
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such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in calculating such
Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) income
taxes (other than income taxes (either positive or negative) attributable to
extraordinary and non-recurring gains or losses or sales of assets), (iii)
depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense and (v) all other non-cash items
reducing Adjusted Consolidated Net Income (other than items that will require
cash payments and for which an accrual or reserve is, or is required by GAAP to
be, made), less all non-cash items increasing (or, in the case of a loss,
decreasing) Adjusted Consolidated Net Income, all as determined on a
consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity
with GAAP; provided that, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated EBITDA shall be reduced (to the extent not
otherwise reduced in accordance with GAAP) or increased (in the case of a loss)
by an amount equal to (A) the amount of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income
attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary multiplied by (B) the percentage of
the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary not "beneficially owned" on the
last day of such period by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of interest in respect of Indebtedness (including, without limitation,
amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest
portion of any deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the
effective interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other
fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing; the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements; and interest
in respect of Indebtedness that is Guaranteed or secured by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and the interest component of Capitalized Lease
Obligations paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or to be accrued by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period; excluding, however,
(i) any amount of such interest of any Restricted Subsidiary if the net income
of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the calculation of Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof (but
only in the same proportion as the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is
excluded from the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income pursuant to
clause (iii) of the definition thereof) and (ii) any premiums, fees and expenses
(and any amortization thereof) payable in connection with the offering of the
Notes, all as determined on a consolidated basis (without taking into account
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) in conformity with GAAP.
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the ratio
of (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis outstanding on such Transaction Date to
(ii) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recent four
fiscal quarters for which financial statements of the Company have been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.18 (such
four fiscal quarter period being the "Four Quarter Period"); provided that, in
making the foregoing calculation, pro forma effect shall be given to the
following events which occur from the beginning of the Four Quarter Period
through the
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Transaction Date (the "Reference Period"): (A) the Incurrence of the
Indebtedness with respect to which the computation is being made and (if
applicable) the application of the net proceeds therefrom, including to
refinance other Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness was incurred, and the
application of such proceeds occurred, at the beginning of the Four Quarter
Period; (B) the Incurrence, repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the first day of the Four
Quarter Period as if such Indebtedness was incurred, repaid or retired at the
beginning of the Four Quarter Period; (C) in the case of Acquired Indebtedness,
the related acquisition, as if such acquisition occurred at the beginning of the
Four Quarter Period; and (D) any acquisition or disposition by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries of any company or any business or any assets out of
the ordinary course of business, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or
asset purchase or sale or any related repayment of Indebtedness, in each case
since the first day of the Four Quarter Period, assuming such acquisition or
disposition had been consummated on the first day of the Four Quarter Period and
after giving pro forma effect to net cost savings that the Company reasonably
believes in good faith could have been achieved during the Four Quarter Period
as a result of such acquisition or disposition (provided that both (1) such cost
savings were identified and quantified in an Officers' Certificate delivered to
the Trustee at the time of the consummation of the acquisition or disposition
and (2) with respect to each acquisition or disposition completed prior to the
ninetieth day preceding such date of determination, actions were commenced or
initiated by the Company within 90 days of such acquisition or disposition to
effect such cost savings identified in such Officers' Certificate and with
respect to any other acquisition or disposition, such Officers' Certificate sets
forth the specific steps to be taken within the 90 days after such acquisition
or disposition to accomplish such cost savings); provided that for purposes of
calculating this ratio, if any Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be reduced by an amount equal to (X) the
amount of Indebtedness attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary multiplied by
(Y) the percentage of the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary not
"beneficially owned" on the last day of such period by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, at any date of determination, Capital
Stock as set forth on the most recently available quarterly or annual
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (which
shall be as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such
computation, and which shall not take into account Unrestricted Subsidiaries),
less any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock or any equity security
convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness, the cost of treasury stock,
if any, and the principal amount of any promissory notes receivable from the
sale of the Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
each item to be determined in conformity with GAAP (excluding the effects of
foreign currency exchange adjustments under Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 52).
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the
corporate trust
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business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally
administered, which office is, at the date of this Indenture, located at 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 21 West, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate
Trust Trustee Administration.
"Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement, dated August 28, 1997,
between the Company and Comerica Bank, as amended from time to time.
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Depositary" means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and
their respective successors.
"Directors" means, with respect to any Person, the members of the Board
of Directors of such Person.
"Disqualified Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock of any
Person that by its terms or otherwise is (i) required to be redeemed prior to
the Stated Maturity of the Notes, (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder of
such class or series of Capital Stock at any time prior to the Stated Maturity
of the Notes or (iii) convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock
referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above or Indebtedness having a scheduled
maturity prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to repurchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control" provisions
applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders of such
Capital Stock than the provisions contained in Sections 4.11 and 4.12 and such
Capital Stock, or the agreements or instruments governing the redemption rights
thereof, specifically provides that such Person will not repurchase or redeem
any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the Company's repurchase of
such Notes as are required to be repurchased pursuant to Sections 4.11 and 4.12.
"Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 6.01.
"Excess Proceeds" has the meaning provided in the final sentence of the
first paragraph of Section 4.11.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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"Exchange Notes" means any securities of the Company containing terms
identical to the Notes (except that such Exchange Notes shall be registered
under the Securities Act) that are issued and exchanged for the Notes pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement and this Indenture.
"Existing Controlling Holder" means Xxxxxx X. XxxxxxXxx and his
Affiliates.
"fair market value" means the price that would be paid in an
arm's-length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no
compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy,
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall
be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution; provided that (x) the fair
market value of any security registered under the Exchange Act shall be the
average of the closing prices, regular way, of such security for the 20
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the sale of Capital Stock and (y)
in the event the aggregate fair market value of any other property (other than
cash or cash equivalents) received by the Company exceeds $30 million, the fair
market value of such property shall be determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm or a nationally recognized firm having appraisal
expertise in the specific area which is the subject of such determination and
set forth in their written opinion which shall be delivered to the Trustee.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, those 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 are approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations contained or
referred to in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis, except that calculations made for purposes of determining
compliance with the terms of the covenants and with other provisions of this
Indenture shall be made without giving effect to (i) the amortization of any
expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the Notes and (ii) except
as otherwise provided, the amortization of any amounts required or permitted by
Accounting Principles Board Opinion Nos. 16 and 17.
"Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of
such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by
agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services
(unless such purchase arrangements are on arm's-length terms and are entered
into in the ordinary course of
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business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or
otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the
obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee
against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term
"Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
"Guaranteed Indebtedness" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07.
"Holder" or "Noteholder" means the registered holder of any Note.
"Incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness, to incur, create,
issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for or with respect to, or
become responsible for, the payment of, contingently or otherwise, such
Indebtedness, including an "Incurrence" of Acquired Indebtedness; provided that
a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such Person becoming
Indebtedness shall be deemed not to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by
such Person and that neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of
original issue discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person at any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all obligations of such
Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including
reimbursement obligations with respect thereto, but excluding obligations with
respect to letters of credit (including trade letters of credit) securing
obligations (other than obligations described in clause (i) or (ii) above or
(v), (vi) or (vii) below) entered into in the ordinary course of business of
such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if drawn
upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third Business
Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement), (iv) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
property or services, which purchase price is due more than six months after the
date of placing such property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or
the completion of such services, except Trade Payables, (v) all Capitalized
Lease Obligations of such Person, (vi) all Indebtedness referred to in clauses
(i) through (v) hereof of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such
Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided
that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (A) the fair market
value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount of such
Indebtedness, (vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons Guaranteed by such Person
to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by such Person and (viii) to the
extent not otherwise included in this definition, obligations under Currency
Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of any
Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date (or, in the
case of a revolving credit or other similar facility, the total amount of funds
outstanding on the date of determination) of all
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unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent
obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving
rise to the obligation, provided that (A) the amount outstanding at any time of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such
Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue
discount of such Indebtedness at the time of its issuance as determined in
conformity with GAAP, (B) money borrowed and set aside at the time of the
Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest
on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" so long as such
money is held to secure the payment of such interest and (C) Indebtedness shall
not include any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as originally executed or as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental
to this Indenture entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
under the Securities Act.
"Interest Payment Date" means each semiannual interest payment date on
July 1 and January 1 of each year, commencing January 1, 1999.
"Interest Rate Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement,
interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement,
interest rate hedge agreement, option or future contract or other similar
agreement or arrangement.
"Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by way of Guarantee
or similar arrangement; but excluding advances to customers in the ordinary
course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as accounts
receivable on the balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
and travel and similar advances to Persons in the ordinary course of business)
or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property
to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of
others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
debentures or other similar instruments issued by, such Person and shall include
(i) the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and
(ii) the fair market value of the Capital Stock (or any other Investment), held
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, of (or in) any Person that
has ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary, including without limitation, by
reason of any transaction permitted by clause (iii) of Section 4.06; provided
that the fair market value of the Investment remaining in any Person that has
ceased to be a Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
Investments previously made in such Person valued at the time such Investments
were made less any net reduction of such Investments. For purposes of the
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definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment" shall
include the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities (other than
liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)) of any
Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated
an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii) the fair market value of the assets (net of
liabilities (other than liabilities to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries)) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time that such Unrestricted
Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary shall be considered a reduction
in outstanding Investments and (iii) any property transferred to or from an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of
such transfer.
"Investment Grade Securities" means (i) securities issued or directly
and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (other than Temporary Cash Investments), (ii) debt
securities or debt instruments with a rating of BBB+ or higher by S&P or Baa1 or
higher by Moody's or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization,
or, if no rating of S&P or Moody's then exists, the equivalent of such rating by
any other nationally recognized securities rating agency, but excluding any debt
securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and
its Subsidiaries, and (iii) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in
investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) which fund may also
hold cash pending investment and/or distribution.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance,
lien, adverse claim or charge of any kind (including, without limitation, any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature
thereof or any agreement to give any security interest).
"Membership Interests" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
membership interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on
the Closing Date or issued thereafter.
"Moody's" means Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means, (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the
proceeds of such Asset Sale in the form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments,
including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations (to the extent
corresponding to the principal, but not interest, component thereof) when
received in the form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments (except to the extent
such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the conversion of other property
received when converted to cash or Temporary Cash Investments, net of (i)
brokerage commissions and other commissions, fees and expenses (including fees
and expenses of counsel, accountants and investment bankers) related to such
Asset Sale and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, (ii)
provisions for all taxes (whether or not such taxes will actually be paid or
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are payable) as a result of such Asset Sale without regard to the consolidated
results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, (iii) payments made to repay Indebtedness or any other obligation
outstanding at the time of such Asset Sale that either (A) is secured by a Lien
on the property or assets sold or (B) is required to be paid as a result of such
sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve against any liabilities associated with such
Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment
benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset
Sale, all as determined in conformity with GAAP and (b) with respect to any
issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the
form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments, including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations (to the extent corresponding to the principal, but
not interest, component thereof) when received in the form of cash or Temporary
Cash Investments (except to the extent such obligations are financed or sold
with recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and proceeds from the
conversion of other property received when converted to cash or Temporary Cash
Investments, net of attorney's fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or
placement agent's fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and
other fees incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes
paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a person who is not a "U.S. person" (as defined
in Regulation S).
"Note Amount" has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of
Section 4.11.
"Notes" means any of the securities, as defined in the first paragraph
of the recitals hereof, that are authenticated and delivered under this
Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term "Notes" shall include
the Notes initially issued on the Closing Date, any Exchange Notes to be issued
and exchanged for any Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and
this Indenture and any other Notes issued after the Closing Date under this
Indenture. For purposes of this Indenture, all Notes shall vote together as one
series of Notes under this Indenture.
"Offer to Purchase" means an offer to purchase Notes by the Company
from the Holders commenced by mailing a notice to the Trustee and each Holder
stating: (i) the covenant pursuant to which the offer is being made and that all
Notes validly tendered will be accepted for payment on a pro rata basis; (ii)
the purchase price and the date of purchase (which shall be a Business Day no
earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed)
(the "Payment Date"); (iii) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue
interest pursuant to its terms; (iv) that, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the purchase price, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the
Offer to Purchase shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Payment Date;
(v) that Holders electing to have a Note
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purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender the
Note, together with the form entitled "Option of the Holder to Elect Purchase"
on the reverse side of the Note completed, to the Paying Agent at the address
specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day
immediately preceding the Payment Date; (vi) that Holders will be entitled to
withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close
of business on the third Business Day immediately preceding the Payment Date, a
facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the
principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase and a statement that such
Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Notes purchased; and (vii) that
Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes
equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered;
provided that each Note purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a
principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. On the Payment Date,
the Company shall (i) accept for payment on a pro rata basis Notes or portions
thereof tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase; (ii) deposit with the Paying
Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions
thereof so accepted; and (iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee
all Notes or portions thereof so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate
specifying the Notes or portions thereof accepted for payment by the Company.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to the Holders of Notes so accepted payment
in an amount equal to the purchase price, and the Trustee shall promptly
authenticate and mail to such Holders a new Note equal in principal amount to
any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each Note
purchased and each new Note issued shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 or
an integral multiple thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of
an Offer to Purchase as soon as practicable after the Payment Date. The Trustee
shall act as the Paying Agent for an Offer to Purchase. The Company will comply
with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and
regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable,
in the event that the Company is required to repurchase Notes pursuant to an
Offer to Purchase.
"Officer" means, with respect to the Company, the Chairman or any
Co-Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer or the Principal Accounting Officer of the Company.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers.
Each Officers' Certificate (other than certificates provided pursuant to TIA
Section 314(a)(4)) shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section
314(e).
"Offshore Global Note" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Offshore Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Operating Agreement" means the limited liability operating agreement
of the Company between Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx XxxxxxXxx dated as of August 1,
1996.
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"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion signed by legal counsel,
who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, that meets the requirements
of Section 11.04 hereof. Each such Opinion of Counsel shall include the
statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e).
"Paying Agent" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04, except that,
for the purposes of Article Eight, the Paying Agent shall not be the Company or
a Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of any of them. The term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent.
"Payment Date" has the meaning provided in the definition of Offer to
Purchase.
"Permanent Offshore Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.
"Permitted Investment" means (i) an Investment in the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the making of such
Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary or be merged or consolidated with or
into or transfer or convey all or substantially all its assets to, the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such person's primary business is
similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment; (ii) Temporary
Cash Investments and Investment Grade Securities; (iii) payroll, travel and
similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances
ultimately to be treated as expenses in accordance with GAAP; (iv) any
Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (x) in
exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or
any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a
bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such
other Investment or accounts receivable or an Affiliate of such issuer, (y) as a
result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
with respect to any secured Indebtedness or other transfer of title with respect
to any secured Indebtedness in default or (z) in satisfaction of a judgment; (v)
any Investment acquired in consideration for the issuance of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) or the proceeds of the issuance of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) to the extent such amounts have not been
previously used to support a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the
first paragraph of Section 4.04 or clause (iii) or (iv) of the second paragraph
of Section 4.04 or used to support the Incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to
clause (viii) of the second paragraph of part (a) under Section 4.03 and
Investments acquired as a capital contribution; provided that such proceeds
shall be used on or prior to 60 days after their receipt by the Company; (vi)
Guarantees permitted by Section 4.03; (vii) loans or advances to employees of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate exceed at
any one time outstanding $2 million; (viii) Currency Agreements and Interest
Rate Agreements permitted under Section 4.03; (ix) Investments in prepaid
expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and
workers' compensation, performance and other similar
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deposits; (x) Investments in debt securities or other evidences of Indebtedness
that are issued by companies engaged in the Telecommunications Business;
provided that when each Investment pursuant to this clause (x) is made, the
aggregate amount of Investments outstanding under this clause (x) does not
exceed $3 million; (xi) Strategic Investments and Investments in any Permitted
Joint Venture in an amount not to exceed $20 million at any one time
outstanding; (xii) an Investment in any Person the primary business of which is
similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company
and its Subsidiaries on the date of such Investment in an amount not to exceed
at any time outstanding the sum of (x) $23 million plus (y) 10% of the Company's
Consolidated EBITDA, if positive, for the immediately preceding four fiscal
quarters (valued in each case as provided in the definition of "Investments");
(xiii) securities received in connection with Asset Sales to the extent
constituting non-cash consideration permitted under Section 4.11; (xiv)
Investments in an amount not to exceed $5 million at any time outstanding; and
(xv) Investments existing on the Closing Date.
"Permitted Joint Venture" means any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any
other Person in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns, directly or
indirectly, an ownership interest (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) and whose
primary business is similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the
businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of
determination.
"Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, governmental
charges or claims that are being contested in good faith by appropriate legal
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a reserve
or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made; (ii) statutory and common law Liens of landlords and
carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other
similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to
amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate legal
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a reserve
or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made; (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security; (iv) Liens incurred or deposits
made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, statutory or regulatory
obligations, bankers' acceptances, surety and appeal bonds, government
contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a
similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of
obligations for the payment of borrowed money); (v) easements, rights-of-way,
municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges, encumbrances, title defects
or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with the ordinary
course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vi)
Liens (including extensions and renewals thereof) upon real or personal property
acquired after the Closing Date; provided that (a) such Lien is created solely
for the purpose of securing Indebtedness Incurred, in accordance with Section
4.03, to finance the cost (including the cost
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of design, development, acquisition, construction, installation, improvement,
transportation or integration) of the item of property or assets subject thereto
and such Lien is created prior to, at the time of or within six months after the
later of the acquisition, the completion of construction or the commencement of
full operation of such property, (b) the principal amount of the Indebtedness
secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such cost and (c) any such Lien
shall not extend to or cover any property or assets other than such item of
property or assets and any improvements on such item; (vii) leases or subleases
granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(viii) Liens encumbering property or assets under construction arising from
progress or partial payments by a customer of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries relating to such property or assets; (ix) any interest or title of
a lessor in the property subject to any Capitalized Lease or operating lease;
(x) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements
regarding leases; (xi) Liens on property of, or on shares of Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of, any Person existing at the time such Person becomes, or becomes
a part of, any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such Liens do not extend to
or cover any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
other than the property or assets acquired; (xii) Liens in favor of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary; (xiii) Liens arising from the rendering of a final
judgment or order against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that does not
give rise to an Event of Default; (xiv) Liens securing reimbursement obligations
with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property
relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds thereof; (xv)
Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to
secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;
(xvi) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and
other Liens that are within the general parameters customary in the industry and
incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness
under Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Agreements and forward contracts,
options, future contracts, futures options or similar agreements or arrangements
designed solely to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities;
(xvii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or
similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in accordance
with the past practices of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to
the Closing Date; (xviii) Liens on or sales of receivables; and (xix) Liens that
secure Indebtedness with an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $5
million at any time outstanding.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
"Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
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"Pledge Account" means an account established with the Collateral Agent
pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement for the deposit of the Pledged
Securities to be purchased by the Company with the net proceeds from the sale of
the Notes.
"Pledge Agreement" means the Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement,
dated as of the Closing Date, among the Company, the Trustee and the Collateral
Agent, governing the disbursement of funds from the Pledge Account maintained by
the Collateral Agent, as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Pledged Securities" means the U.S. Government Obligations to be
purchased by the Company and held in the Pledge Account in accordance with the
Pledge Agreement.
"Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all
shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated,
whether voting or non-voting) of such Person's preferred or preference equity,
whether outstanding on the Closing Date or issued thereafter, including, without
limitation, all series and classes of such preferred or preference stock.
"principal" of a debt security, including the Notes, means the
principal amount due on the Stated Maturity as shown on such debt security.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Notes in the form set forth in Section 2.02.
"Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public offering
of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act.
A "Public Market" shall be deemed to exist if (i) a Public Equity
Offering has been consummated and (ii) at least 15% of the total issued and
outstanding Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to the consummation
of such Public Equity Offering has been distributed by means of an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or sales pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Redemption Date" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
"Redemption Price" means, when used with respect to any Note to be
redeemed, the price at which such Note is to be redeemed pursuant to this
Indenture.
"Registrar" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
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"Registration" has the meaning provided in Section 4.18.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated June 25, 1998, between the Company and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co.
Incorporated and permitted successors, assigns and transferees as specified
therein.
"Registration Statement" means the Registration Statement as defined
and described in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment
Date means the June 15 or December 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the
case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
"Regulation D" means Regulation D under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
vice president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, any
assistant treasurer, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, or any other
officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department customarily performing
functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers and
also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other
officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and
familiarity with the particular subject.
"Restricted Payments" has the meaning provided in Section 4.04.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, and its successors.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Security Register" has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement
as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
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"Significant Subsidiary" means, at any date of determination, any
Restricted Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most
recent fiscal year of the Company, accounted for more than 10% of the
consolidated revenues of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) as
of the end of such fiscal year, was the owner of more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, all as set
forth on the most recently available consolidated financial statements of the
Company for such fiscal year.
"Stated Maturity" means, (i) with respect to any debt security, the
date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which the final
installment of principal of such debt security is due and payable and (ii) with
respect to any scheduled installment of principal of or interest on any debt
security, the date specified in such debt security as the fixed date on which
such installment is due and payable.
"Strategic Investments" means (A) Investments that the Board of
Directors has determined in good faith will enable the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to obtain additional business that it might not be able
to obtain without making such Investment and (B) Investments in entities the
principal function of which is to perform research and development with respect
to products and services that may be used or useful in the Telecommunications
Business; provided that the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries is
entitled or otherwise reasonably expects to obtain rights to such products or
services as a result of such Investment.
"Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
Incurred to finance the acquisition of a Person engaged in a business that is
similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses conducted by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which Indebtedness by its terms,
or by the terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such
Indebtedness is Incurred, (i) is expressly made subordinate in right of payment
to the Notes and (ii) provides that no payment of principal, premium or interest
on, or any other payment with respect to, such Indebtedness may be made prior to
the payment in full of all of the Company's obligations under the Notes;
provided that such Indebtedness may provide for and be repaid at any time from
the proceeds of a capital contribution or the sale of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company after the Incurrence of such Indebtedness.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
association or other business entity of which 50% or more of the voting power of
the outstanding Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person
and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
"Subsidiary Guarantee" has the meaning provided in Section 4.07.
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"Telecommunications Assets" means all assets, rights (contractual or
otherwise) and properties, whether tangible or intangible, used or intended for
use in connection with a Telecommunications Business.
"Telecommunications Business" means the business of (i) transmitting,
or providing services relating to the transmission of, voice, fax, video or data
through owned or leased transmission facilities or the provision of Internet
related services, (ii) creating, developing or marketing communications related
network equipment, software and other devices for use in a Telecommunications
Business or (iii) evaluating, participating or pursuing any other activity or
opportunity that is primarily related to those identified in (i) or (ii) above;
provided that the determination of what constitutes a Telecommunications
Business shall be made in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution.
"Temporary Cash Investment" means any of the following: (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any
agency thereof, (ii) time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money
market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof
issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the
United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by
the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has capital,
surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $50 million (or the
foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated "A"
(or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the
Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer
or mutual fund distributor, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more
than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (i) and
(ii) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in
clause (ii) above, (iv) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after
the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the
Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of
America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United
States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein
is made of "P-1" (or higher) according to Xxxxx'x or "A-1" (or higher) according
to S&P, (v) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of
acquisition issued or fully and unconditionally guaranteed by any state,
commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least "A" by S&P or
Xxxxx'x, and (vi) investment funds investing 95% or more of their assets in
securities of the type described in clauses (i) through (v) above.
"Temporary Offshore Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section
2.01.
"TIA" or "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date this
Indenture was executed (except as provided in
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Section 9.06).
"Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts
payable or any other Indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors
created, assumed or Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries arising
in the ordinary course of business in connection with the acquisition of goods
or services.
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the Incurrence of any
Indebtedness by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date such
Indebtedness is to be Incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the
date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the provisions of
Article Seven of this Indenture and thereafter means such successor.
"United States Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Reform Act of
1978, as amended and as codified in Title 11 of the United States Code, as
amended from time to time hereafter, or any successor federal bankruptcy law.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and (ii) any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted
Subsidiary (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any
Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (A) any Guarantee by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Subsidiary being so designated
shall be deemed an "Incurrence" of such Indebtedness and an "Investment" by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (or both, if applicable) at the time of
such designation; (B) either (I) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
assets of $1,000 or less or (II) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than
$1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04; and (C) if
applicable, the Incurrence of Indebtedness and the Investment referred to in
clause (A) of this proviso would be permitted under Sections 4.03 and 4.04. The
Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such designation and
(ii) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding
immediately after such designation would, if Incurred at such time, have been
permitted to be Incurred (and shall be deemed to have been Incurred) for all
purposes of the Indenture. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall
be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the
Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
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"U.S. Global Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit 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, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior
to the Stated Maturity of the Notes, and shall also include a depository receipt
issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S.
Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any
such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the
holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on
or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository
receipt.
"U.S. Physical Notes" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01.
"Voting Stock" means with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of Directors
of such Person.
"Wholly Owned" means, with respect to any Subsidiary of any Person, the
ownership of all of the outstanding Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (other than
any Director's qualifying investments or investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law) by such Person or one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person.
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. The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Notes;
"indenture security holder" means a Holder or a Noteholder;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the
Trustee; and
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any
other obligor on the Notes.
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All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by a rule of the
Commission and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them
therein.
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 herein has
the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(iii) "or" is not exclusive;
(iv) words in the singular include the plural, and words in
the plural include the singular;
(v) provisions apply to successive events and
transactions;
(vi) "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import
refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision;
(vii) all ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in
this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with the definition of
GAAP set forth in Section 1.01; and
(viii) all references to Sections or Articles refer to
Sections or Articles of this Indenture unless otherwise indicated.
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate
of authentication shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A
with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations
as are required or permitted by this Indenture. The Notes may have notations,
legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange agreements to which the
Company is subject or usage. The Company shall approve the form of the Notes and
any notation, legend or endorsement on the Notes. Each Note shall be dated the
date of its authentication.
The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed
hereto as Exhibit
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A shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of
this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company and the Trustee, by their
execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and
provisions and to be bound thereby.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued
initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in registered form,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Global Notes"),
registered in the name of the nominee of the Depositary, deposited with the
Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and
authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal
amount of the U.S. Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased
by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the
Depositary or its nominee, in accordance with the instructions given by the
Holder thereof, as hereinafter provided.
Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on
Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary
global Notes in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A
(the "Temporary Offshore Global Notes"), registered in the name of the nominee
of the Depositary, deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary,
duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter
provided. At any time on or after August 4, 1998, upon receipt by the Trustee
and the Company of a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
one or more permanent global Notes in registered form substantially in the form
set forth in Exhibit A (the "Permanent Offshore Global Notes"; and together with
the Temporary Offshore Global Notes, the "Offshore Global Notes") duly executed
by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided shall be
deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, and
the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in
the principal amount of the Temporary Offshore Global Notes in an amount equal
to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Temporary Offshore
Global Notes transferred.
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation D shall be issued in
the form of permanent certificated Notes in registered form in substantially the
form set forth in Exhibit A (the "U.S. Physical Notes").
Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.07 in exchange for interests in the
Offshore Global Notes shall be in the form of permanent certificated Notes in
registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the "Offshore
Physical Notes").
The Offshore Physical Notes and U.S. Physical Notes are sometimes
collectively herein referred to as the "Physical Notes." The U.S. Global Notes
and the Offshore Global Notes are sometimes referred to herein as the "Global
Notes."
The definitive Notes shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved
or produced by
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any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner
permitted by the rules of any securities depositary or of any securities
exchange on which the Notes may be listed or by usage, all as determined by the
Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
SECTION 2.02. Restrictive Legends. Unless and until a Note is exchanged
for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective Registration
Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or until the period
referenced in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act has expired, it shall bear
the legend set forth below on the face thereof.
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE
OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED
STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS
SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE
HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER"
(AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN
INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN "INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING
THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT; (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN THE TIME
PERIOD REFERRED TO UNDER RULE 144(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AS IN
EFFECT ON THE DATE OF TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE
PROVISIONS OF RULE 144(d) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IF APPLICABLE,
RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY
SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE
UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO
SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING
CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON
TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM
THE TRUSTEE), AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES OF LESS THAN $100,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL
ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
SECURITIES ACT, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E)
PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT (IF
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AVAILABLE) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON
TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT
OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE WITHIN THE
TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE APPROPRIATE
BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH
TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE TRUSTEE. IF THE PROPOSED
TRANSFEREE IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR, THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH
TRANSFER, FURNISH TO EACH OF THE TRUSTEE AND THE COMPANY SUCH
CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS OR OTHER INFORMATION AS EITHER OF THEM
MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE
PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. AS USED HEREIN, THE
TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE
THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO
REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS.
Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, shall also bear the
following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE
ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER ENTITY
AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER
ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED
OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE,
BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR
SUCH SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE
SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS
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MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2.08 OF
THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 2.03. Execution, Authentication and Denominations. Subject to
Article Four and applicable law, the aggregate principal amount of Notes which
may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Notes
shall be executed by two Officers of the Company. The signature of these
Officers on the Notes may be by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on
behalf of the Company.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee or authenticating agent authenticates the Note, the Note
shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this
Indenture.
At any time and from time to time after the execution of this
Indenture, the Trustee or an authenticating agent shall upon receipt of a
Company Order authenticate for original issue Notes in the aggregate principal
amount specified in such Company Order; provided that the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the
Company in connection with such authentication of Notes. Such Company Order
shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the
original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and, in case of an issuance of
Notes pursuant to Section 2.15, shall certify that such issuance is in
compliance with Article Four.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate Notes.
An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.
Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes
authentication by such authenticating agent. An authenticating agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and
only in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and any integral multiple
thereof.
SECTION 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an
office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or
for exchange (the "Registrar"), an office or agency where Notes may be presented
for payment (the "Paying Agent") and an office or agency where notices and
demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served, which shall be in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. The
Company shall cause the Registrar to keep a register of the Notes and of their
transfer and exchange (the "Security Register"). The Security Register shall be
in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written
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form within a reasonable time. The Company may have one or more co-Registrars
and one or more additional Paying Agents.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the
provisions 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 such Agent
and any change in the address of such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a
Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of notices and demands, the
Trustee shall act as such Registrar, Paying Agent and/or agent for service of
notices and demands. The Company may remove any Agent upon written notice to
such Agent and the Trustee; provided that no such removal shall become effective
until (i) the acceptance of an appointment by a successor Agent to such Agent as
evidenced by an appropriate agency agreement entered into by the Company and
such successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the
Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as such Agent until the appointment of a
successor Agent in accordance with clause (i) of this proviso. The Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of them may act as Paying
Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar, and/or agent for service of notice and
demands.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent,
authenticating agent and agent for service of notice and demands. 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 TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company
shall furnish to the Trustee as of each Regular Record Date and at such other
times as the Trustee may reasonably request the names and addresses of Holders
as they appear in the Security Register, including the aggregate principal
amount of Notes held by each Holder.
SECTION 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Not later than 10:00
a.m. (New York City time) each due date of the principal, premium, if any, and
interest on any Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money in
immediately available funds sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any,
and interest so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other
than the Trustee to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust
for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent
for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
(whether such money has been paid to it by the Company or any other obligor on
the Notes), and such Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Trustee of any
default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Notes) in making any such
payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee
may at any time during the continuance of any payment default, upon written
request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to pay all money held by it
to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon doing so, the Paying
Agent shall have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee.
If the Company or any
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Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them acts as Paying Agent,
it will, on or before each due date of any principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Notes, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the
benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such principal, premium,
if any, 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 action or failure to act.
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Notes are issuable only in
registered form. A Holder may transfer a Note only by written application to the
Registrar 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 Security
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 Note is registered as the owner thereof for all
purposes whether or not the Note 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 Note shall, by acceptance of such Global
Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be
effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such
Global Note (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the
Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When Notes are presented
to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to
exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized
denominations (including an exchange of Notes for Exchange Notes), the Registrar
shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its
requirements for such transactions are met (including that such Notes are duly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory
to the Trustee and Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by an
attorney who is authorized in writing to act on behalf of the Holder); provided
that no exchanges of Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a Registration
Statement shall have been declared effective by the Commission and that any
Notes that are exchanged for Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee.
To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar's request. No service
charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption
of the Notes, 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 2.11, 3.08 or 9.04).
The Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer
of or exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected
for redemption under Section 3.03 and ending at the close of business on the day
of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
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portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes. (a) The U.S.
Global Notes and Offshore Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the
name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary,
(ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear
legends as set forth in Section 2.02.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on
their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under such
Global Note, 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
Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing 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 its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the
exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note.
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such
Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or
their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in Global Notes may be
transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary and
the provisions of Section 2.08. In addition, U.S. Physical Notes and Offshore
Physical Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for
their beneficial interests in the U.S. Global Notes or the Offshore Global
Notes, as the case may be, if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the U.S. Global Notes or the
Offshore Global Notes, as the case may be, and a successor depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the
Depositary or (iii) in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
Depositary and the provisions of Section 2.08.
(c) Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is
transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another
Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and
become an interest in such other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter
be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable
to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such
an interest.
(d) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial
interests in a Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b) of
this Section 2.07, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date
and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to
the principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Note to be
transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver, one or more U.S. Physical Notes or Offshore Physical Notes, as the
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case may be, of like tenor and amount.
(e) In connection with the transfer of the U.S. Global Notes or the
Offshore Global Notes, in whole, to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b)
of this Section 2.07, the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore Global Notes, as the
case may be, shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation,
and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes or Offshore Global Notes, as the
case may be, an equal aggregate principal amount of U.S. Physical Notes or
Offshore Physical Notes, as the case may be, of authorized denominations.
(f) Any U.S. Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the
U.S. Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section 2.07
shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear the
legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the U.S. Physical Note set
forth in Section 2.02.
(g) Any Offshore Physical Note delivered in exchange for an interest in
the Offshore Global Notes pursuant to paragraph (b), (d) or (e) of this Section
2.07 shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (f) of Section 2.08, bear
the legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Offshore Physical
Note set forth in Section 2.02.
(h) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and
otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may
hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is
entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 2.08. Special Transfer Provisions. Unless and until a Note is
exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective
Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the
following provisions shall apply:
(a) Transfers to Non-QIB Institutional Accredited Investors. The
following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any
proposed transfer of a Note to any Institutional Accredited Investor which is
not a QIB (excluding a transfer to a Non-U.S. Person outside the United States
in an Offshore Transaction in compliance with Regulation S):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note,
whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if (x) the
requested transfer is after the time period referred to in Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act or (y) the proposed transferee has delivered
to the Registrar (A) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
C hereto and (B) if the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being
transferred is less than $100,000, an opinion of counsel acceptable to
the Company that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities
Act.
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(ii) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding a
beneficial interest in the Global Notes, upon receipt by the Registrar
of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y)
instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global
Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial
interest in the Global Notes to be transferred, and the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more
U.S. Physical Notes of like tenor and amount.
(b) Transfers to QIBs. The following provisions shall apply with
respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Note to a QIB
(excluding a transfer to a Non-U.S. Person outside the United States in an
Offshore Transaction in compliance with Regulation S):
(i) The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Note,
whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, if (x) the
requested transfer is after the time period referred to in Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act or (y) such transfer is being made by a
proposed transferor who has checked the box provided for on the form of
Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company and the Registrar in
writing, that the sale has been made in compliance with the provisions
of Rule 144A to a transferee who has signed the certification provided
for on the form of Note stating, or has otherwise advised the Company
and the Registrar in writing, that it is purchasing the Note for its
own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a QIB within
the meaning of Rule 144A and is aware that the sale to it is being made
in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such
information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule
144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is
aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations
in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule
144A.
(ii) A transfer of an interest in a Global Note may be
effected only through the book-entry system maintained by the
Depository upon receipt by the Registrar of the documents required by
clause (b)(i) above and instructions given in accordance with the
Depository and the Registrar's procedures.
(iii) If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, and the
Note to be transferred consists of U.S. Physical Notes, upon receipt by
the Registrar of the documents referred to in paragraph (b)(i) above
and instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and an increase in the principal amount of U.S. Global
Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the Physical Notes
to be transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Notes so
transferred.
[(c) Transfers of Interests in the Permanent Offshore Global Notes or
Unlegended
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Offshore Physical Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to
any transfer of interests in Permanent Offshore Global Notes or unlegended
Offshore Physical Notes. The Registrar shall register the transfer of any such
Note upon receipt of the certification listed in clause (d) below.]
(d) Transfers to Non-U.S. Persons in Compliance with Regulation S. The
following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of any
Note, whether or not such Note bears the Private Placement Legend, to a Non-U.S.
Person outside the United States in an Offshore Transaction in compliance with
Regulation S:
(i) Prior to August 4, 1998, the Registrar shall register any
proposed transfer of a Note to a Non-U.S. Person in compliance with
Regulation S upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.
(ii) On and after August 4, 1998, the Registrar shall register
any proposed transfer to any Non-U.S. Person in compliance with
Regulation S, upon receipt of a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.
(iii) If the requested transfer is after the time period
referred to in Rule 144(k), without requiring any additional
certification.
(iv) (A) If the proposed transferor is an Agent Member holding
a beneficial interest in the Global Notes, upon receipt by the
Registrar of (x) the documents, if any, required by paragraph (ii) and
(y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary's and the
Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and
records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the U.S.
Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
beneficial interest in the U.S. Global Notes to be transferred, and (B)
if the proposed transferee is an Agent Member, upon receipt by the
Registrar of instructions given in accordance with the Depositary's and
the Registrar's procedures, the Registrar shall reflect on its books
and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the
Offshore Global Notes in an amount equal to the principal amount of the
Physical Notes or the Global Notes, as the case may be, to be
transferred, and the Trustee shall cancel the Physical Note, if any, so
transferred or decrease the amount of the Global Notes, as the case may
be.
(e) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or
replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar
shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend. Upon the
transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend,
the Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend
unless either (i) the circumstances contemplated by paragraph (a)(i)(x) of this
Section 2.08 exist or (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of
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Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee to the effect
that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required
in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.
(f) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on
transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement
Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this
Indenture. The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such
transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in
this Indenture. In connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by
its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Company such
certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them may
reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an
exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements
of the Securities Act; provided that the Registrar shall not be required to
determine (but may rely on a determination made by the Company with respect to)
the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information.
Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee
against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment
of such Holder's Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture.
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 Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or
beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) 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.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other
written communications received pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08.
The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters,
notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving
of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
SECTION 2.09. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to
the Trustee or if the Holder claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee
that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of like tenor and
principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding;
provided that the requirements of this Section 2.09 are met. An indemnity bond
must be
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furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the Trustee and the
Company to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss that any
of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge such Holder for
its expenses and the expenses of the Trustee in replacing a Note. In case any
such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about
to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note
instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.10. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all
Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by
it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section
2.10 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced or paid pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be
outstanding unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof
satisfactory to them that the replaced or paid Note is held by a bona fide
purchaser.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company) holds on the maturity date money sufficient to pay Notes payable on
that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be outstanding and
interest on them shall cease to accrue.
A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of
its Affiliates holds such Note, provided, however, that in determining whether
the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have
given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver
hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Notes or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and
deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Notes which a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee has actual knowledge to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes
so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if
the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right
so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or
any other obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such
other obligor.
SECTION 2.11. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for
delivery, the Company may prepare and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of
definitive Notes but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other
variations determined to be appropriate by the Officers executing the temporary
Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes. If temporary
Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared
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without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the
temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the
temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated for such
purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes the Company shall execute
and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like
principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so
exchanged, the temporary Notes shall be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Notes.
SECTION 2.12. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver to the
Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered
hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar and the
Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for
transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Notes surrendered
for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of them in
accordance with its normal procedure.
SECTION 2.13. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use
"CUSIP," "CINS" or "ISIN" numbers (if then generally in use), and the Company
and the Trustee shall use CUSIP, CINS or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, 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 Notes or as contained in any notice of
redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other
identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of any change in "CUSIP," "CINS" or "ISIN" numbers for the Notes.
SECTION 2.14. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment
of interest on the Notes, it shall pay, or shall deposit with the Paying Agent
money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay, the defaulted interest,
plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the defaulted interest, to
the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. A special
record date, as used in this Section 2.14 with respect to the payment of any
defaulted interest, shall mean the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the
Company for the payment of defaulted interest, whether or not such day is a
Business Day. At least 15 days before the subsequent special record date, the
Company shall mail to each Holder and to the Trustee a notice that states the
subsequent special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted
interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.15. Issuance of Additional Notes. Except for the Exchange
Notes, the Company may not issue any additional Notes under this Indenture. The
Notes issued on the Closing Date and any Exchange Notes subsequently issued
shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
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ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION
SECTION 3.01. Redemption Upon Receipt of Public Equity Offering
Proceeds. At any time and from time to time prior to July 1, 2001, the Company
may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of
one or more Public Equity Offerings following which there is a Public Market, at
any time or from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount) of 115%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date to
receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date), provided that (i) Notes
representing at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes initially
issued remain outstanding after each such redemption and (ii) notice of any such
redemption is mailed within 60 days of such related Public Equity Offering.
SECTION 3.02. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes
pursuant to Section 3.01, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the clause
of this Indenture pursuant to which redemption shall occur.
The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.02 in
an Officers' Certificate at least 45 days before the Redemption Date (unless a
shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).
SECTION 3.03. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. The Trustee shall
select the Notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements, as
certified to it by the Company, of the principal national securities exchange or
automated quotation system, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the
Notes are not listed on a national securities exchange or automated quotation
system, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion
shall deem fair and appropriate; provided that no Note of $1,000 in principal
amount or less shall be redeemed in part.
The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not
previously called for redemption. Notes in denominations of $1,000 in principal
amount may only be redeemed in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption
portions (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any integral multiple thereof)
of Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000 in principal amount.
Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also
apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the
Company and the Registrar promptly in writing of the Notes or portions of Notes
to be called for redemption.
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SECTION 3.04. Notice of Redemption. With respect to any redemption of
Notes pursuant to Section 3.01, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days
before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by
first-class mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP, CINS or ISIN
number(s)) to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date;
(ii) the Redemption Price;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to
the Paying Agent in order to collect the Redemption Price;
(v) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption
payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on
and after the Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the
Holders is to receive payment of the Redemption Price plus accrued
interest to the Redemption Date upon surrender of the Notes to the
Paying Agent;
(vi) that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion
of the principal amount (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any
integral multiple thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and
after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or
Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will
be reissued; and
(vii) that, if any Note contains a CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number
as provided in Section 2.13, no representation is being made as to the
correctness of the CUSIP, CINS or ISIN number either as printed on the
Notes or as contained in the notice of redemption and that reliance may
be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Notes.
At the Company's request (which request may be revoked by the Company
at any time prior to the time at which the Trustee shall have given such notice
to the Holders), made in writing to the Trustee at least 45 days (or such
shorter period as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before a Redemption
Date, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the name and at the
expense of the Company. If, however, the Company gives such notice to the
Holders, the Company shall concurrently deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that such notice has been given.
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SECTION 3.05. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption
is mailed, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption
Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender of any Notes to the Paying
Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the Redemption Price, plus accrued interest,
if any, to the Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed, whether
or not the Holder receives the notice. In any event, failure to give such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings
for the redemption of Notes held by Holders to whom such notice was properly
given.
SECTION 3.06. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, shall
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.05) money sufficient to pay
the Redemption Price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that
date other than Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on that date
that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
SECTION 3.07. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption. If notice of
redemption has been given in the manner provided above, the Notes or portion of
Notes specified in such notice to be redeemed shall become due and payable on
the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price stated therein, together with
accrued interest to such Redemption Date, and on and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price and
accrued interest to the Redemption Date, in which case the principal, until
paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed in the
Notes), such Notes shall cease to accrue interest. Upon surrender of any Note
for redemption in accordance with a notice of redemption, such Note shall be
paid and redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that installments of interest
whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to
the Holders registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular
Record Date.
SECTION 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of any Note that
is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder without service
charge, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of such
surrendered Note.
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Company shall pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner
provided in the
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Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent
(other than the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company, or any Affiliate of any of
them) holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay the
installment. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of
any of them acts as Paying Agent, an installment of principal, premium, if any,
or interest shall be considered paid on the due date if the entity acting as
Paying Agent complies with the last sentence of Section 2.05. As provided in
Section 6.09, upon any bankruptcy or reorganization procedure relative to the
Company, the Trustee shall serve as the Paying Agent, if any, for the Notes.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at
the rate per annum specified in the Notes.
SECTION 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency
where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for
presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in
respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will 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 shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee
with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands
may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided
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 initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of
the Trustee as such office of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any
Indebtedness (other than the Notes and Indebtedness existing on the Closing
Date); provided that the Company may Incur Indebtedness if, after giving effect
to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the
proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be greater than zero
and less than 6:1.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiary (except as
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specified below) may Incur each and all of the following: (i) Indebtedness
outstanding at any time in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100.0
million, less any amount of such Indebtedness permanently repaid as provided
under Section 4.11; (ii) Indebtedness owed (A) to the Company evidenced by a
promissory note or (B) to any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any event
which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ii);
(iii) Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used
to refinance or refund, then outstanding Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness
Incurred under clause (i), (ii), (iv), (vi) or (ix) of this paragraph) and any
refinancings thereof in an amount not to exceed the amount so refinanced or
refunded (plus premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses); provided that
Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to refinance or refund the Notes or
Indebtedness that is pari passu with, or subordinated in right of payment to,
the Notes shall only be permitted under this clause (iii) if (A) in case the
Notes are refinanced in part or the Indebtedness to be refinanced is pari passu
with the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the terms of any
agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is outstanding,
is expressly made pari passu with, or subordinate in right of payment to, the
remaining Notes, (B) in case the Indebtedness to be refinanced is subordinated
in right of payment to the Notes, such new Indebtedness, by its terms or by the
terms of any agreement or instrument pursuant to which such new Indebtedness is
issued or remains outstanding, is expressly made subordinate in right of payment
to the Notes at least to the extent that the Indebtedness to be refinanced is
subordinated to the Notes and (C) such new Indebtedness, determined as of the
date of Incurrence of such new Indebtedness, does not mature prior to the Stated
Maturity of the Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded, and the Average Life
of such new Indebtedness is at least equal to the remaining Average Life of the
Indebtedness to be refinanced or refunded; provided that in no event may
Indebtedness of the Company be refinanced by means of any Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (iii); (iv) Indebtedness (A) in
respect of performance, surety, appeal bonds and completion guaranties provided
in the ordinary course of business, (B) under Currency Agreements and Interest
Rate Agreements; provided that such agreements (a) are designed solely to
protect the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates and (b) do not increase the
Indebtedness of the obligor outstanding at any time other than as a result of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or by reason
of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder, and (C) arising from
agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
similar obligations, or from Guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or
performance bonds securing any obligations of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case Incurred in
connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary
(other than Guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or
any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of
financing such acquisition), in a principal amount not to exceed the gross
proceeds actually received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in
connection with such disposition; (v) Indebtedness of the Company, to
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the extent the net proceeds thereof are promptly (A) used to purchase Notes
tendered in an Offer to Purchase made as a result of a Change in Control or (B)
deposited to defease the Notes pursuant to Article Eight; (vi) Guarantees of the
Notes and Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary
provided the Guarantee of such Indebtedness is permitted by and made in
accordance with Section 4.07; (vii) Indebtedness (including Guarantees) Incurred
to finance the cost (including the cost of design, development, acquisition,
construction, installation, improvement, transportation or integration) to
acquire equipment, inventory or network assets (including acquisitions by way of
acquisitions of real property, leasehold improvements, Capitalized Leases and
acquisitions of the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent of the fair market value of the equipment, inventory or
network assets so acquired) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the
Closing Date; (viii) Indebtedness of the Company not to exceed, at any one time
outstanding, two times (A) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after
the Closing Date as a capital contribution or from the issuance and sale of its
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to a Person that is not a
Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent such capital contribution or Net Cash
Proceeds have not been used pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph or
clause (iii), (iv), (vi) or (vii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.04 or
clause (ix) of the definition of Permitted Investments to support the making of
a Restricted Payment and (B) 80% of the fair market value of property (other
than cash and Temporary Cash Investments) received by the Company after the
Closing Date from the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent such capital
contribution or sale of Capital Stock has not been used pursuant to clause
(iii), (iv), (vi) or (vii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.04 to make a
Restricted Payment, provided that such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the
Stated Maturity of the Notes and has an Average Life longer than the remaining
Average Life of the Notes; (ix) Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect
to letters of credit in the ordinary course of business, including, without
limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers' compensation claims or self
insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations
regarding workers' compensation claims; provided that upon the drawing of such
letters of credit or the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are
reimbursed within 30 days following the earlier of such drawing or Incurrence;
(x) Acquired Indebtedness; (xi) Strategic Subordinated Indebtedness; and (xii)
Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company (in addition to Indebtedness permitted
under clauses (i) through (xi) above) in an aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any time not to exceed $100 million, less any amount of such
Indebtedness permanently repaid as provided under Section 4.11.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may
Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with
respect to any outstanding Indebtedness due solely to the result of fluctuations
in the exchange rates of currencies.
(c) For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness
under this
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Section 4.03, (1) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of
credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such
particular amount shall not be included and (2) any Liens granted pursuant to
the equal and ratable provisions referred to in Section 4.09 shall not be
treated as Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with this
Section 4.03, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of
more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in the above clauses, the
Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and from time to time may
reclassify, such item of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount
and type of such Indebtedness in one of such clauses.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or with respect to its
Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in its
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock and (y) pro rata dividends or distributions on
Common Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries held by Persons other than the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), (ii) purchase, redeem, retire or
otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of (A) the Company or an
Unrestricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to acquire
such Capital Stock) held by any Person or (B) a Restricted Subsidiary (including
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) held by any
Affiliate of the Company (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or
any holder (or any Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of the Capital Stock
of the Company, (iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment, or
voluntary or optional redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition
or retirement for value, of Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes or (other than the purchase, redemption,
repurchase or other acquisition of such subordinated Indebtedness purchased in
anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or
final maturity, in each case due within six months of the date of acquisition),
and (iv) make any Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, in any Person
(such payments or any other actions described in clauses (i) through (iv) above
being collectively "Restricted Payments") if, at the time of, and after giving
effect to, the proposed Restricted Payment: (A) a Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) the Company could not Incur at least
$1.00 of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 4.03(a) or (C) the
aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments (the amount, if other than in cash,
to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution) made after the Closing
Date shall exceed the sum of (1) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Adjusted
Consolidated Net Income (or, if the Adjusted Consolidated Net Income is a loss,
minus 100% of the amount of such loss) (determined by excluding income resulting
from transfers of assets by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) accrued on a cumulative basis during the period (taken
as one accounting period) beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter
immediately following the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the last
fiscal quarter preceding the Transaction Date for which reports have been filed
with the Commission or provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.18 plus (2)
the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds
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received by the Company after the Closing Date as a capital contribution or from
the issuance and sale permitted by this Indenture of its Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company,
including an issuance or sale permitted by this Indenture of Indebtedness of the
Company for cash subsequent to the Closing Date upon the conversion of such
Indebtedness into Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,
or from the issuance to a Person who is not a Subsidiary of the Company of any
options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock of the Company (in
each case, exclusive of any Disqualified Stock or any options, warrants or other
rights that are redeemable at the option of the holder, or are required to be
redeemed, prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes), in each case except to the
extent such Net Cash Proceeds are used to support the Incurrence of Indebtedness
pursuant to clause (viii) of the second paragraph under Section 4.03(a), or the
making of Permitted Investments in accordance with clause (v) of the definition
of such term or pursuant to clause (vi) of the second paragraph of this Section
4.04, plus (3) an amount equal to the net reduction in Investments (other than
reductions in Permitted Investments and pursuant to clause (vi) of the second
paragraph of this Section 4.04) in any Person resulting from payments of
interest on Indebtedness, dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other
transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or
from the Net Cash Proceeds from the sale of any such Investment (except, in each
case, to the extent any such payment or proceeds are included in the calculation
of Adjusted Consolidated Net Income), or from redesignations of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in the
definition of "Investments"), not to exceed, in each case, the amount of
Investments previously made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such
Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provision shall not be violated by reason of: (i) the
payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if,
at said date of declaration, such payment would comply with the foregoing
paragraph; (ii) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes including premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, with the
proceeds of, or in exchange for, Indebtedness Incurred under clause (iii) of the
second paragraph of Section 4.03(a); (iii) the repurchase, redemption or other
acquisition of Capital Stock of the Company or an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock) in exchange
for, or out of the proceeds of a capital contribution or a substantially
concurrent offering of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Company (or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock);
(iv) the making of any principal payment or the repurchase, redemption,
retirement, defeasance or other acquisition for value of Indebtedness of the
Company which is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes in exchange for,
or out of the proceeds of a capital contribution or a substantially concurrent
offering of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock); (v) payments
or distributions, to dissenting holders of Capital Stock pursuant to applicable
law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of
assets that complies with the provisions of Article Five; (vi) Investments in
any Person the primary business of which is
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similar, related, ancillary or complementary to the businesses of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of such Investments; provided that
the aggregate amount of Investments outstanding at any time pursuant to this
clause (vi) does not exceed the sum of (a) $20 million plus (b) the amount of
Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company after the Closing Date as a capital
contribution or from the sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Stock) to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, except to the extent
such Net Cash Proceeds are used to support the Incurrence of Indebtedness
pursuant to clause (viii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.03(a) or to
support the making of Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (C)(2) of the first
paragraph, or clause (iii) or (iv) of this Section 4.04, plus (c) the net
reduction in Investments made pursuant to this clause (vi) resulting from
distributions on or repayments of such Investments or from the Net Cash Proceeds
from the sale of any such Investment (except in each case to the extent any such
payment or proceeds is included in the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net
Income) or from such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (valued in each
case as provided in the definition of "Investments"), provided that the net
reduction in any Investment shall not exceed the amount of such Investment;
(vii) Investments acquired in exchange for Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company; (viii) the declaration or payment of
dividends on the Capital Stock of the Company following a Public Equity Offering
of such Capital Stock, of up to 6% per annum of the Net Cash Proceeds received
by the Company in such Public Equity Offering; (ix) prior to the occurrence of a
Public Market, the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for
value of Capital Stock of the Company or options to purchase such Capital Stock,
held by any current or former employee, Director or consultant of the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates),
upon the death, disability, retirement, termination of employment or pursuant to
the terms of any agreement under which such Capital Stock or options were
issued; provided that the aggregate consideration paid for such purchase,
redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of such Capital Stock or
options after the Closing Date does not exceed (A) in any calendar year, $2
million or (B) $5 million in the aggregate (unless such repurchases are made
with the proceeds of insurance policies and the Capital Stock is purchased from
the executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, heirs, legatees or
beneficiaries); (x) the declaration or payment of dividends and other
distributions to Members of the Company in an amount equal to the income tax
liability incurred by such Members as a result of any amount of consolidated
income or gain of the Company allocated to such Members for federal income tax
purposes, computed at the highest federal and state rates applicable to such
Members; and (xi) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$2 million; provided that, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or occur as a
consequence of the actions or payments set forth therein.
Each Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to the preceding paragraph
(other than the Restricted Payment referred to in clause (ii) thereof, an
exchange of Capital Stock for Capital Stock or Indebtedness referred to in
clause (iii) or (iv) thereof and an Investment referred to in clauses (vi) and
(vii) thereof), and the Net Cash Proceeds from any capital contribution or any
issuance of Capital Stock referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv), shall be
included in calculating
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whether the conditions of clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph of this Section
4.04 have been met with respect to any subsequent Restricted Payments. In the
event the proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock of the Company are used for
the redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of the Notes, or Indebtedness
that is pari passu with the Notes, then the Net Cash Proceeds of such issuance
shall be included in clause (C)(2) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.04
only to the extent such proceeds are not used for such redemption, repurchase or
other acquisition of Indebtedness.
Any Restricted Payments made other than in cash shall be valued at fair
market value. The amount of any Investment "outstanding" at any time shall be
deemed to be equal to the amount of such Investment on the date made, less the
return of capital to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to
such Investment by distribution, sale or otherwise (up to the amount of such
Investment on the date made).
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions permitted by applicable law on any Capital Stock of such
Restricted Subsidiary owned by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,
(ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary, (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any
other Restricted Subsidiary.
The foregoing provisions shall not restrict any encumbrances or
restrictions: (i) existing on the Closing Date in the Credit Agreement, this
Indenture or any other agreements in effect on the Closing Date, and any
extensions, refinancings, renewals or replacements of such agreements; provided
that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extensions, refinancings,
renewals or replacements are no less favorable in any material respect to the
Holders than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that
are being extended, refinanced, renewed or replaced; (ii) existing under or by
reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order; (iii) existing with respect
to any Person or the property or assets of such Person acquired by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary, existing at the time of such acquisition and not
incurred in contemplation thereof, which encumbrances or restrictions are not
applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such
Person or the property or assets of such Person so acquired; (iv) in the case of
clause (iv) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.05, (A) that restrict in a
customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset
that is a lease, license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset,
(B) existing by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or
right with respect to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture, (C) arising or
agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness,
and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner
material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (D) entered
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into in connection with purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in
clause (iv) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.05 on the property so
acquired; (v) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and imposed pursuant to an
agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of the Capital Stock of, or the property and assets of, such
Restricted Subsidiary; (vi) contained in the terms of any Indebtedness or any
agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued if (A) the encumbrance
or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default or a default with
respect to a financial covenant contained in such Indebtedness or agreement, (B)
the encumbrance or restriction is not materially more disadvantageous to the
Holders of the Notes than is customary in comparable financings (as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive
if evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (C) the Board of Directors determines
that any such encumbrance or restriction will not materially affect the
Company's ability to make principal or interest payments on the Notes; (vii) on
cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business; (viii) constituting customary provisions in joint
venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business; or (ix) of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv)
of the first paragraph of this covenant imposed by any amendments,
modifications, renewals, restatements, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings of the contracts referred to in clauses (i) through
(vi) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, renewals,
restatements, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings
are, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors, not materially
disadvantageous to the Holders than those contained in the restriction prior to
such amendment, modification, renewal, restatement, increase, supplement,
refunding, replacement or refinancing. Nothing contained in this Section 4.05
shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (1) creating,
incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted in
Section 4.09 or (2) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or
assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on the Issuance and Sale of Capital Stock of
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not sell, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to issue or sell, any Capital
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (including options, warrants or other rights to
purchase such Capital Stock) except (i) to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) issuances of Director's qualifying shares or sales
to foreign nationals of Capital Stock of foreign Restricted Subsidiaries, to the
extent required by applicable law; (iii) if, immediately after giving effect to
such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a
Restricted Subsidiary and any Investment in such Person remaining after giving
effect to such issuance or sale would have been permitted to be made under
Section 4.04 if made on the date of such issuance or sale; or (iv) issuances or
sales of Common Stock or Membership Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary,
provided that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the Net Cash
Proceeds, if any, of any such sale in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of
Section 4.11.
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SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees by Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly
or indirectly, to Guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company which is pari passu
with or subordinate in right of payment to the Notes ("Guaranteed
Indebtedness"), unless (i) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes
and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a
Guarantee (a "Subsidiary Guarantee") of payment of the Notes by such Restricted
Subsidiary and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner
whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of
reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company
or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted
Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this paragraph shall
not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary (x) that existed
at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not Incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted
Subsidiary or (y) of Indebtedness Incurred under the Credit Agreement supporting
Indebtedness thereunder Incurred prior to the Closing Date. If the Guaranteed
Indebtedness is (A) pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee of such
Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be pari passu with, or subordinated to, the
Subsidiary Guarantee or (B) subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of
such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee
at least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the
Notes.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Restricted
Subsidiary may provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer,
to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company's and each
Restricted Subsidiary's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets
of, such Restricted Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not
prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the Guarantee
which resulted in the creation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, except a discharge
or release by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee.
SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Transactions with Stockholders and
Affiliates. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, renew or extend any
transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of property or assets, or the rendering of any service) with any holder
(or any Affiliate of such holder) of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of
the Company or with any Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
except upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained, at the time of such transaction
or, if such transaction is pursuant to a written agreement, at the time of the
execution of the agreement providing therefor, in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person that is not such a holder or an Affiliate.
The foregoing limitation does not limit, and shall not apply to (i)
transactions (A) approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors or (B) for
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which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a written
opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm or a nationally
recognized firm having appraisal expertise in the specific area which is the
subject of such determination stating that the transaction is fair to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; (ii) any
transaction solely between the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or
solely between Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of reasonable and
customary regular fees to, and reasonable and customary indemnity provided on
behalf of, officers, Directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries; (iv) any payments or other transactions pursuant to any
tax-sharing agreement between the Company and any other Person with which the
Company files a consolidated tax return or with which the Company is part of a
consolidated group for tax purposes; (v) any agreement as in effect as of the
Closing Date or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not
disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect); (vi) the existence of,
or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its
obligations under the terms of, any Limited Liability Company Operating
Agreement or Articles of Organization (including any registration rights
agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of
the Closing Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter
(so long as any such similar agreement is not disadvantageous to the Holders in
any material respect); or (vii) any Restricted Payments not prohibited by
Section 4.04. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction or series of
related transactions covered by the first paragraph of this Section 4.08 and not
covered by clauses (ii) through (vii) of this paragraph, the aggregate amount of
which exceeds $3 million in value, must be approved or determined to be fair in
the manner provided for in clause (i)(A) or (B) above.
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien on any of its assets or properties of any character (including, without
limitation, licenses), or any shares of Capital Stock or Indebtedness of any
Restricted Subsidiary, without making effective provision for all of the Notes
and all other amounts due under this Indenture to be directly secured equally
and ratably with (or, if the obligation or liability to be secured by such Lien
is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, prior to) the obligation or
liability secured by such Lien.
The foregoing limitation does not apply to (i) Liens existing on the
Closing Date, including Liens securing obligations under the Credit Agreement;
(ii) Liens granted after the Closing Date on any assets or Capital Stock of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries created in favor of the Holders; (iii)
Liens with respect to the assets of a Restricted Subsidiary granted by such
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to secure
Indebtedness owing to the Company or such other Restricted Subsidiary; (iv)
Liens securing Indebtedness which is Incurred to refinance secured Indebtedness
which is permitted to be Incurred under clause (iii) of the second paragraph of
Section 4.03(a); provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover any property
or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or
assets securing the Indebtedness being refinanced; (v) Liens on the
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Capital Stock of, or any property or assets of, a Restricted Subsidiary securing
Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 4.03; (vi)
Liens on the Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness
Incurred under clause (vii) of the second paragraph of Section 4.03(a); or (vii)
Permitted Liens.
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any
sale-leaseback transaction involving any of its assets or properties whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
sells or transfers such assets or properties and then or thereafter leases such
assets or properties or any part thereof or any other assets or properties which
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, intends to use
for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the assets or properties sold
or transferred.
The foregoing restriction does not apply to any sale-leaseback
transaction if (i) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not
in excess of three years; (ii) the lease secures or relates to industrial
revenue or pollution control bonds; (iii) the transaction is solely between the
Company and any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or solely between Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; or (iv) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, within 12 months after the sale or transfer of any assets or
properties is completed, applies an amount not less than the net proceeds
received from such sale in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of the first
paragraph of Section 4.11.
SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Asset Sales. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate any Asset Sale, unless
(i) the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is
at least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or disposed of and
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration received consists of (x) cash or
Temporary Cash Investments or the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Indebtedness that is
subordinated to the Notes) and release from all liability on the Indebtedness
assumed (which release shall be in writing executed by all creditors with
respect thereto), or (y) Voting Stock of a Person engaged in the
Telecommunications Business that will, upon receipt thereof, be or become a
Restricted Subsidiary; provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to
long-term assignments of capacity in a telecommunications network. In the event
and to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries from one or more Asset Sales occurring on or after
the Closing Date in any period of 12 consecutive months exceed 10% of Adjusted
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (determined as of the date closest to the
commencement of such 12-month period for which a consolidated balance sheet of
the Company and its Subsidiaries has been filed with the Commission pursuant to
Section 4.18), then the Company shall or shall cause the relevant Restricted
Subsidiary to (i) within 12 months after the date Net Cash Proceeds so received
exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (A) apply an amount
equal to such excess Net Cash Proceeds to permanently repay unsubordinated
Indebtedness of the Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary providing a Subsidiary
Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07 or Indebtedness of any other
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Restricted Subsidiary, in each case owing to a Person other than the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) invest an equal amount, or the amount
not so applied pursuant to clause (A) (or enter into a definitive agreement
committing to so invest within 12 months after the date of such agreement), in
property or assets (other than current assets) of a nature or type or that are
used in a business (or in a company having property and assets of a nature or
type, or engaged in a business) similar, related, ancillary or complementary to
the nature or type of the property and assets of, or the businesses of, the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date of such investment
(as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (ii) apply (no later
than the end of the 12-month period referred to in clause (i) immediately above)
such excess Net Cash Proceeds (to the extent not applied pursuant to clause (i))
as provided in the following paragraph of Section 4.11. The amount of such
excess Net Cash Proceeds required to be applied (or to be committed to be
applied) during such 12-month period as set forth in clause (i) of the preceding
sentence and not applied as so required by the end of such period shall
constitute "Excess Proceeds."
If, as of the first day of any calendar month, the aggregate amount of
Excess Proceeds not theretofore subject to an Offer to Purchase pursuant to this
Section 4.11 totals at least $5 million, the Company must commence, not later
than the fifteenth Business Day of such month, and consummate, an Offer to
Purchase from the Holders on a pro rata basis, and an offer to purchase any
outstanding pari passu Indebtedness with similar provisions requiring the
Company to make an offer to purchase such Indebtedness, in an aggregate
principal amount of Notes and such pari passu Indebtedness equal to (A) with
respect to the Notes, the product of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of the
Notes and the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal
amount of the Notes and such pari passu Indebtedness (the product hereinafter
referred to as the "Note Amount"), and (B) with respect to the pari passu
Indebtedness, the excess of the Excess Proceeds over the Note Amount, at a
purchase price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes or
such pari passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, on the relevant Payment Date
or such other date set forth in the documentation governing the pari passu
Indebtedness, plus, in each case, accrued interest (if any) to the Payment Date
or such other date set forth in the documentation governing the pari passu
Indebtedness. If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes and such pari passu
Indebtedness tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase is less than the Excess
Proceeds, the remaining Excess Proceeds will be available for use by the Company
for general corporate purposes. Upon the consummation of any Offer to Purchase
in accordance with the terms of this Indenture where the Excess Proceeds exceeds
the principal amount of the Notes, the amount of Net Cash Proceeds from Asset
Sales subject to any future Offer to Purchase shall be reset to zero.
SECTION 4.12. Repurchase of Notes upon a Change of Control. The Company
shall commence, within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, and
consummate an Offer to Purchase for all Notes then outstanding, at a purchase
price equal to 101% of their outstanding principal amount, plus accrued
interest, if any, to the Payment Date.
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SECTION 4.13. Existence. Subject to Articles Four and Five of this
Indenture, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of
each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective
organizational documents of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary and the
rights (whether pursuant to charter, partnership certificate, agreement, statute
or otherwise), licenses and franchises of the Company and each Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such
right, license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if
the maintenance or preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be
conclusive if evidenced by a Board Resolution).
SECTION 4.14. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay
or discharge and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, or
cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent (i) all
material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon (a)
the Company or any such Subsidiary, (b) the income or profits of any such
Subsidiary which is a corporation or (c) the property of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or
any such Subsidiary; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge, or cause to be paid or discharged, any such tax, assessment, charge
or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
established to the extent required by GAAP.
SECTION 4.15. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance. The Company will
cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the
business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in
this Section 4.15 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from
discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties or
disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment
of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary.
The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance)
against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations
similarly situated and owning like properties, including, but not limited to,
products liability insurance and public liability insurance, with reputable
insurers or with the government of the United States of America, or an agency or
instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such
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methods as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the
industry in which the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, is then conducting business.
SECTION 4.16. Notice of Defaults. In the event that any Officer becomes
aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company shall promptly deliver to
the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event of
Default.
SECTION 4.17. Compliance Certificates. (a) The Company shall deliver to
the Trustee, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter (90 days after
the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), an Officers' Certificate
stating whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default. In
the case of the Officers' Certificate delivered within 90 days after the end of
the Company's fiscal year, such certificate shall contain a certification from
the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Principal Accounting
Officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and the Company's and its Restricted
Subsidiaries' performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied
with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this
Section 4.17, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period
of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If any of the
officers of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such a Default
or Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Default or Event of
Default and its status. The first certificate to be delivered pursuant to this
Section 4.17(a) shall be for the first fiscal quarter beginning after the
execution of this Indenture.
(b) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the
end of each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year in which this Indenture
was executed, a certificate signed by the Company's independent certified public
accountants stating (i) that their audit examination has included a review of
the terms of this Indenture and the Notes as they relate to accounting matters,
(ii) that they have read the most recent Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 4.17 and (iii) whether, in
connection with their audit examination, anything came to their attention that
caused them to believe that the Company was not in compliance with any of the
terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Article Four and Section 5.01 of
this Indenture as they pertain to accounting matters and, if any Default or
Event of Default has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period
of existence thereof; provided that such independent certified public
accountants shall not be liable in respect of such statement by reason of any
failure to obtain knowledge of any such Default or Event of Default that would
not be disclosed in the course of an audit examination conducted in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards in effect at the date of such
examination.
SECTION 4.18. Commission Reports and Reports to Holders. At all times
from and after the earlier of (i) the date of the commencement of a registered
exchange offer for the Notes by the Company or the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration") and (ii) the date that is six
months from the Closing Date, in either case, whether or not the Company
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is then required to file reports with the Commission, the Company shall file
with the Commission all such reports and other information as it would be
required to file with the Commission by Sections 13(a) or 15(d) under the
Exchange Act if it were subject thereto. The Company shall supply the Trustee
and each Holder or shall supply to the Trustee for forwarding to each Holder,
without cost to such Holder, copies of such reports and other information within
15 days after the date it would have been required to file such reports or other
information with the Commission had it been subject to such Sections. In
addition, at all times prior to the earlier of the date of the Registration and
the date that is six months after the Closing Date, the Company shall, at its
costs, deliver to each Holder of the Notes quarterly and annual reports
substantially equivalent to those which would be required by the Exchange Act.
In addition, at all times prior to the Registration, upon the request of any
Holder or any prospective purchaser of the Notes designed by a Holder, the
Company shall supply to such Holder or such prospective purchaser the
information required under Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. The Company
also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee 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 4.19. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law
that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein,
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of
any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit
the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not
consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property and assets (as an
entirety or substantially an entirety in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) to, any Person or permit any Person to merge with or into the
Company unless: (i) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the Person
(if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the
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Company is merged or that acquired or leased such property and assets of the
Company shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of
the United States of America or any jurisdiction thereof and shall expressly
assume, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all
of the obligations of the Company on all of the Notes and under this Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) immediately after giving
effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company or any Person
becoming the successor obligor of the Notes shall have a Consolidated Net Worth
equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction; (iv) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction on a pro forma basis the Company, or any Person becoming the
successor obligor of the Notes, as the case may be, could Incur at least $1.00
of Indebtedness under the first paragraph of Section 4.03(a); provided that this
clause (iv) shall not apply to (x) a consolidation, merger or sale of all (but
not less than all) of the assets of the Company if all Liens and Indebtedness of
the Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor on the Notes, as the
case may be, and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding immediately after such
transaction would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred
(and all such Liens and Indebtedness, other than Liens and Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the
transaction, shall be deemed to have been Incurred) for all purposes of this
Indenture or (y) a consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company if immediately after giving effect to such transaction
on a pro forma basis, the Company or any Person becoming the successor obligor
of the Notes shall have a Consolidated Leverage Ratio equal to or less than the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction; and (v) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that such
consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture complies with
this provision and that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to
such transaction have been complied with; provided, however, that clauses (iii)
and (iv) above do not apply if, in the good faith determination of the Board of
Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive if evidenced by a Board
Resolution, the principal purpose of such transaction is to change the state or
form of incorporation of the Company; and provided further that any such
transaction shall not have as one of its purposes the evasion of the foregoing
limitations.
SECTION 5.02. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger,
or any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company in accordance with
Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
conveyance, transfer, lease 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 Person had been named
as the Company herein; provided that the Company shall not be released from its
obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes in
the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its property and assets.
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ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. Any of the following events shall
constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:
(a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable , upon
acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(b) default in the payment of interest on any Note when the
same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period
of 30 days; provided that a failure to make any of the first six
scheduled interest payments on the Notes on the applicable Interest
Payment Date will constitute an Event of Default with no grace or cure
period;
(c) default in the performance or breach of the provisions of
Article Five or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to Purchase
in accordance with Sections 4.11 and 4.12;
(d) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any
other covenant or agreement of the Company in this Indenture or under
the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c)
above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of
25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding;
(e) there occurs with respect to any other issue or issues of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an
outstanding principal amount of $5 million or more in the aggregate for
all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has
caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been
discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to
make a principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed
maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or
extended within 30 days of such payment default;
(f) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for
the payment of money in excess of $5 million in the aggregate for all
such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be
rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall
not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 30
consecutive days
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following entry of the final judgment or order that causes the
aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders outstanding and
not paid or discharged against all such Persons to exceed $5 million
during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or order, by
reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;
(g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a
decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
(B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the
winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days;
(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a
voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an
order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B)
consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or
(i) the Pledge Agreement shall cease to be in full force and
effect or enforceable other than in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event
of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 that occurs with
respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Company (and to the Trustee if
such notice is given by the Holders), may, and the Trustee at the request of
such Holders shall, declare the outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the Notes to be immediately due and payable. Upon a
declaration of acceleration, such outstanding principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. In the event of a
declaration of acceleration because an Event of Default set forth in clause (e)
of Section 6.01 has occurred and is continuing, such declaration of acceleration
shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default triggering
such Event of Default pursuant to clause (e) shall be remedied or cured by the
Company or the relevant Significant Subsidiary or waived by the holders of the
relevant Indebtedness within 60 days after the declaration of acceleration with
respect thereto. If an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of
Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company, the outstanding principal of,
premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso
facto become
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and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the
part of the Trustee or any Holder.
At any time after such declaration of acceleration, but before a
judgment or decree for the payment of the money due has been obtained by the
Trustee, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes by written notice to the Company and to the Trustee, may waive
all past Defaults and rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its
consequences if (a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
sufficient to pay (i) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel, (ii) all overdue interest on all Notes, (iii) the
principal of and premium, if any, on any Notes that have become due otherwise
than by such declaration or occurrence of acceleration and interest thereon at
the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, and (iv) to the extent that payment
of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest, if any, at the rate
prescribed therefor by such Notes, (b) all existing Events of Default, other
than the non-payment of the outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of
acceleration, have been cured or waived and (c) the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall, pursue any
available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to enforce the
performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07
and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes, by notice to the Trustee, may waive an existing Default or
Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note as specified in clause
(a) or (b) of Section 6.01 or in respect of a covenant or provision of this
Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder
of each outstanding Note affected. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall
cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any
right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes 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 the Trustee; provided that
the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction
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that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in
personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly
prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such
direction; and provided further that the Trustee may take any other action it
deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from
Holders of Notes.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. A Holder may not institute any
proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Notes,
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless:
(i) the Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice
of a continuing Event of Default;
(ii) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of outstanding Notes shall have made a written request to the Trustee
to pursue such remedy;
(iii) such Holder or Holders offer the Trustee indemnity
satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(v) during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes do not give the
Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.
For purposes of Section 6.05 of this Indenture and this Section 6.06,
the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 316(a) in making any determination of
whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Notes have concurred in any request or direction of the Trustee to pursue any
remedy available to the Trustee or the Holders with respect to this Indenture or
the Notes or otherwise under the law.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another
Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other Holder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment, on or after the due date
expressed in the Notes, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of
such Holder; provided that the Holders of not less than 75% of the aggregate
principal amount of Notes shall have the right to consent to postponement of
interest payments on the Notes, in accordance with TIA Section 316(a)(2).
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SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default in
payment of principal, premium or interest specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) of
Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its
own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other
obligor of the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal,
premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate specified
in the Notes, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs
and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
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 (including any claim for
the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to
the Company (or any other obligor of the Notes), its creditors or its property
and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies,
securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange
of the Notes or upon any such claims and to distribute the same, and any
custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other
similar official in any such judicial proceeding 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 7.07. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to empower 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 Notes 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 money pursuant to
this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee for all amounts due under Section 7.07;
Second: to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes in respect of
which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected,
ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal, premium, if any,
and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or any other obligors of the Notes, as
their interests may appear, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may
direct.
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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.
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 Trustee, a court may require any party
litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and
the court 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 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes.
SECTION 6.12. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any
Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this
Indenture and such proceeding 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, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to
their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the
Company, Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had
been instituted.
SECTION 6.13. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise
provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or wrongfully taken Notes in Section 2.09, no right or remedy herein
conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be
exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the
extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and
remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or
otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or
otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other
appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 6.14. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the
Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event
of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any
such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given
by this Article Six or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised
from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by
the Holders, as the case may be.
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
SECTION 7.01. General. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee
shall be as
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provided by the TIA and as set forth herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own
funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of
its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it
shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it. Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every provision of this
Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article
Seven.
SECTION 7.02. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to TIA Sections 315(a)
through (d):
(i) the Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be protected
in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate,
statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness
or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed or presented by the proper person;
(ii) before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall
conform to Section 11.03. The Trustee shall not be liable for any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such
certificate or opinion;
(iii) the Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and
shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any
attorney or agent appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(iv) 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, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against
the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
compliance with such request or direction;
(v) 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
its rights or powers, provided that the Trustee's conduct does not
constitute negligence or bad faith;
(vi) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the
Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established
prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the
Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may,
in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers'
Certificate;
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(vii) 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;
(viii) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection
and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon; and
(ix) 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
Notes 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 Notes and
may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it
would have if it were not the Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights. However, the Trustee is subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee (i) makes no
representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes,
(ii) shall not be accountable for the Company's use or application of the
proceeds from the Notes and (iii) shall not be responsible for any statement in
the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default. If any Default or any Event of Default
occurs and is continuing and if such Default or Event of Default is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder in the manner and to the extent
provided in TIA Section 313(c) notice of the Default or Event of Default within
45 days after it occurs, unless such Default or Event of Default has been cured;
provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible
Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such
notice is in the interest of the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each
May 15, beginning with May 15, 1999, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder as
provided in TIA Section 313(c) a brief report dated as of such May 15, if
required by TIA Section 313(a).
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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of
Securities shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the Commission and each
stock exchange on which the Securities are listed in accordance with TIA Section
313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities are
listed on any stock exchange or of any delisting thereof.
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the
Trustee such compensation as shall be agreed upon in writing for its services
under this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement. The compensation of the Trustee
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, expenses and advances incurred or made by the Trustee without
negligence or bad faith on its part. Such expenses shall include the
compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless
against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes
(other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred by it without
negligence or bad faith on its part in connection with the acceptance or
administration of this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement and its duties under
this Indenture, the Pledge Agreement and the Notes, including the costs and
expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability and of complying
with any process served upon it or any of its officers in connection with the
exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under this Indenture, the
Pledge Agreement and the Notes. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of
any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify
the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder or
thereunder, unless the Company is materially prejudiced thereby. The Company
shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. Unless
otherwise set forth herein, the Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company
need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property
held in trust pursuant to the Pledge Agreement or otherwise to pay principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes.
If the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence
of an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01, the
expenses and the compensation for the services will be intended to constitute
expenses of administration under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
or any applicable federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of
this Indenture.
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The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2)
to the extent applicable.
SECTION 7.08. 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
7.08.
The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in
writing at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed resignation. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove
the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor
Trustee with the consent of the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee is
adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a 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 Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If
the successor Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance required by the
next succeeding paragraph of this Section 7.08 within 30 days after the retiring
Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, at the expense
of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after the
delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the lien provided in Section
7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee
to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring
Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all
the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor
Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder. No successor Trustee
shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such
successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10 or shall fail
to comply with TIA Section 310(b), any Holder who satisfies the requirements of
TIA Section 310(b) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. If at any
time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 7.08, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect provided in this Section.
The Company shall give notice of any resignation and any removal of the
Trustee and
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each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders. Each notice shall
include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust
Office.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligation under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit
of the retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. 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 resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national
banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with
the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee
herein, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible
under this Article.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee
who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall have
a combined capital and surplus of at least $25 million as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition that is subject to the requirements
of applicable Federal or state supervising or examining authority. If at any
time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of
this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the
effect specified in this Article.
SECTION 7.11. Money Held in Trust. The Trustee shall not be liable for
interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing
with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in
trust under Article Eight or Ten of this Indenture.
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
SECTION 8.01. Termination of Company's Obligations. Except as otherwise
provided in this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate its obligations under
the Notes and this Indenture if:
(i) all Notes previously authenticated and delivered (other
than destroyed, lost or stolen Notes that have been replaced or Notes
that are paid pursuant to Section 4.01 or Notes for whose payment money
or securities have theretofore been held in trust and thereafter repaid
to the Company, as provided in Section 8.05) have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums payable by
it hereunder; or
(ii) (A) the Notes mature within one year or all of them are
to be called for
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redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the
Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B) the Company
irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee during such one-year
period, under the terms of an irrevocable trust agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Trustee, as trust funds solely for the
benefit of the Holders for that purpose, cash, Temporary Cash
Investments or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient (in the opinion
of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee),
without consideration of any reinvestment of any interest thereon, to
pay principal, premium, if, any, and interest on the Notes to maturity
or redemption, as the case may be, and to pay all other sums payable by
it hereunder, (C) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the
Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit, (D) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound and
(E) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions
precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
With respect to the foregoing clause (i), the Company's obligations
under Section 7.07 shall survive. With respect to the foregoing clause (ii), the
Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive until the
Notes are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company's obligations in
Sections 7.07, 8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. After any such irrevocable
deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of
the Company's obligations under the Notes and this Indenture except for those
surviving obligations specified above.
SECTION 8.02. Defeasance and Discharge of Indenture. The Company will
be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from any and all obligations in
respect of the Notes on the 123rd day after the date of the deposit referred to
in clause (A) of this Section 8.02, and the provisions of this Indenture will no
longer be in effect with respect to the Notes, and the Trustee, at the expense
of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same if:
(A) with reference to this Section 8.02, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section
7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (1) cash, Temporary Cash Investments
in an amount, (2) U.S. Government Obligations that, through the payment
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of interest, premium, if any, and principal in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than one day
before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause (A),
money in an amount or (3) a combination thereof in an amount
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 and discharge, without
consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of
all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in
respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity of
such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been
irrevocably instructed to apply such cash, Temporary Cash Investments
or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Obligations to the payment of
such principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the
Notes, and provided further that, if simultaneously with the deposit of
the cash or Temporary Cash Investments and/or U.S. Government
Obligations referred to in (i) above, the Company has caused an
irrevocable, transferrable, standby letter of credit to be issued by a
bank with capital and surplus exceeding the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes then outstanding, expiring not earlier
than 180 days from its issuance, in favor of the Trustee, which permits
the Trustee to draw an amount equal to the principal, premium, if any,
and accrued interest on the Notes through the expiry date of the letter
of credit, then the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged
any and all obligations under this clause (A) on the date of the
deposit and issuance of the letter of credit;
(B) the Company has delivered to the Trustee (1) either (x) an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the
Company's exercise of its option under this Section 8.02 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 option had
not been exercised, which Opinion of Counsel shall be based upon (and
accompanied by a copy of) a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service to
the same effect unless there has been a change in applicable federal
income tax law after the Closing Date such that a ruling is no longer
required or (y) a ruling directed to the Trustee received from the
Internal Revenue Service to the same effect as the aforementioned
Opinion of Counsel and (2) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
creation of the defeasance trust does not violate the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and that after the passage of 123 days following
the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the account of
any Holder who may be deemed to be an "insider" for purposes of the
United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the deposit),
the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Xxxxxxx 000 xx xxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York Debtor and
Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company under either
such statute, and either (I) the trust funds will no longer remain the
property of the Company (and therefore will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors'
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rights generally) or (II) if a court were to rule under any such law in
any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the
Company, (a) assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of
the Trustee prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the
Holders, the Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid
and perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not
avoidable in bankruptcy or otherwise except for the effect of Section
552(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust
funds accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute and
(b) the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of
their interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in
such case or proceeding;
(C) immediately after giving effect to such deposit, on a pro
forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on
the 123rd day after such date of such deposit, and such deposit shall
not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under,
this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(D) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result
of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and
(E) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02 have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the end of the 123-day (or
one-year) period referred to in clause (B)(2) of this Section 8.02, none of the
Company's obligations under this Indenture shall be discharged. Subsequent to
the end of such 123-day (or one year) period with respect to this Section 8.02,
the Company's obligations in Sections 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08,
2.09, 2.14, 4.01, 4.02, 8.04, 8.05, 8.06 and the rights, powers, trusts, duties
and immunities of the Trustee hereunder shall survive until the Notes are no
longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company's obligations in Sections 7.07,
8.04, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive. If and when a ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service or an Opinion of Counsel referred to in clause (B)(1) of this
Section 8.02 is able to be provided specifically without regard to, and not in
reliance upon, the continuance of the Company's obligations under Section 4.01,
then the Company's obligations under such Section 4.01 shall cease upon delivery
to the Trustee of such ruling or Opinion of Counsel and compliance with the
other conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.02.
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After any such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall
acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under the
Notes and this Indenture except for those surviving obligations in the
immediately preceding paragraph.
SECTION 8.03. Defeasance of Certain Obligations. The Company may omit
to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in clauses (iii) and
(iv) of Section 5.01 and Sections 4.03 through 4.11, clause (c) of Section 6.01
with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01, clause (d) of Section
6.01 with respect to Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.12 through 4.19 and clauses (c),
(d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 6.01 shall be deemed not to be Events of
Default, in each case with respect to the outstanding Notes if:
(i) with reference to this Section 8.03, the Company has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section
7.10) and conveyed all right, title and interest to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders, under the terms of an irrevocable trust
agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of
the Holders as security for payment of the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on the Notes, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the Holders, in and to (A) cash or Temporary Cash
Investments in an amount, (B) U.S. Government Obligations that, through
the payment of interest, premium, if any, and principal in respect
thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide, not later than
one day before the due date of any payment referred to in this clause
(i), money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof in an amount
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 and discharge, without
consideration of the reinvestment of such interest and after payment of
all federal, state and local taxes or other charges and assessments in
respect thereof payable by the Trustee, the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity of
such principal or interest; provided that the Trustee shall have been
irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S.
Government Obligations to the payment of such principal, premium, if
any, and interest with respect to the Notes and provided further that,
if simultaneously with the deposit of the cash or Temporary Cash
Investments and/or U.S. Government Obligations referred to in this
clause (i), the Company has caused an irrevocable, transferrable,
standby letter of credit to be issued by a bank with capital and
surplus exceeding the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the Notes then outstanding, expiring not earlier than 180 days from its
issuance, in favor of the Trustee, which permits the Trustee to draw an
amount equal to the principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest on
the Notes through the expiry date of the letter of credit, then the
Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged any and all
obligations under this clause (i) on the date of the deposit and
issuance of the letter of credit;
(ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the
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effect that (A) the creation of the defeasance trust does not violate
the Investment Company Act of 1940, (B) after the passage of 123 days
following the deposit (except, with respect to any trust funds for the
account of any Holder who may be deemed to be an "insider" for purposes
of the United States Bankruptcy Code, after one year following the
deposit), the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Xxxxxxx
000 xx xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Bankruptcy Code or Section 15 of the New York
Debtor and Creditor Law in a case commenced by or against the Company
under either such statute, and either (1) the trust funds will no
longer remain the property of the Company (and therefore will not be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally)
or (2) if a court were to rule under any such law in any case or
proceeding that the trust funds remained property of the Company, (x)
assuming such trust funds remained in the possession of the Trustee
prior to such court ruling to the extent not paid to the Holders, the
Trustee will hold, for the benefit of the Holders, a valid and
perfected security interest in such trust funds that is not avoidable
in bankruptcy or otherwise (except for the effect of Section 552(b) of
the United States Bankruptcy Code on interest on the trust funds
accruing after the commencement of a case under such statute) and (y)
the Holders will be entitled to receive adequate protection of their
interests in such trust funds if such trust funds are used in such case
or proceeding, (C) the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and
defeasance of certain covenants and Events of Default 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 and
defeasance had not occurred and (D) the Trustee, for the benefit of the
Holders, has a valid first-priority security interest in the trust
funds;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such deposit on a pro
forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on
the 123rd day after such date of such deposit, and such deposit shall
not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under,
this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(iv) if the Notes are then listed on a national securities
exchange, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that the Notes will not be delisted as a result
of such deposit, defeasance and discharge; and
(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all
conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance
contemplated by this Section 8.03 have been complied with; provided
that if simultaneously with the deposit of the cash or Temporary Cash
Investments and/or U.S. Government Obligations referred to in (i)
above, the Company
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has caused an irrevocable, transferrable, standby letter of credit to
be issued by a bank with capital and surplus exceeding the principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding, expiring not earlier than 180
days from its issuance, in favor of the Trustee, which permits the
Trustee to draw an amount equal to the principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the Notes through the expiry date of the letter of
credit, then the Company will be deemed to have paid and discharged any
and all obligations in respect of the notes on the date of the deposit
and issuance of the letter of credit.
SECTION 8.04. Application of Trust Money; Miscellaneous. Subject to
Section 8.06, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust money or U.S.
Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03,
as the case may be, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with the Notes and this Indenture to the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes; but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which
by law is for the account of the Holders of outstanding Notes.
SECTION 8.05. Repayment to Company. Subject to Sections 7.07, 8.01,
8.02 and 8.03, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the
Company upon written request set forth in an Officers' Certificate any excess
money held by them at any time and thereupon shall be relieved from all
liability with respect to such money. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay
to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest that remains unclaimed for two years; provided that
the Trustee or Paying Agent before being required to make any payment may cause
to be published at the expense of the Company once in a newspaper of general
circulation in The City of New York, or mail to each Holder entitled to such
money at such Holder's address (as set forth in the Security Register) notice
that such money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein (which
shall be at least 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing) any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable law designates
another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with
respect to such money shall cease.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable
to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section
8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, 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 Company's
obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated
as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the
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case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to
apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section
8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company has made
any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because
of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the
rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or
U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, when authorized
by a resolution of its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution
delivered to the Trustee), and the Trustee may amend or supplement this
Indenture or the Notes without notice to or the consent of any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this
Indenture; provided that such amendments or supplements shall not, in
the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors as evidenced by a
Board Resolution, adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any
material respect;
(2) to comply with Article Five;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission in
connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(4) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
hereunder by a successor Trustee;
(5) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in
place of certificated Notes;
(6) to add one or more subsidiary guarantees on the terms
required by this Indenture; or
(7) to make any change that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board of Directors as evidenced by a Board Resolution, does not
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Subject to Sections 6.04 and
6.07 and without prior notice to the Holders, the Company, when authorized by
its Board of Directors (as evidenced by a Board Resolution), and the Trustee may
amend this Indenture, the Pledge Agreement and the Notes with the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
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principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee
may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture,
the Pledge Agreement or the Notes.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9.02, without the
consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver, including a waiver
pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
(i) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of interest on, any Note;
(ii) reduce the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest
on any Note;
(iii) change any place or currency of payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on, any Note;
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any payment on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the Redemption Date) on any Note;
(v) reduce the percentage or principal amount of outstanding
Notes the consent of whose Holders is necessary to modify or amend this
Indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of or certain
Defaults under this Indenture;
(vi) waive a default in the payment of principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on, any Note;
(vii) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02,
except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby; or
(viii) modify Article Ten or the Pledge Agreement in a manner
that adversely affects the interests of the Holders in any material
respect.
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,
supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02
becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. The Company will
mail supplemental indentures to Holders upon request. 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 supplemental indenture
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or waiver.
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consent. Until an amendment or
waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by
the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that
evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting Holder, even if notation
of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent
Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note or portion of its Note. Such
revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver shall become effective on receipt
by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage
in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the last
two sentences of the immediately preceding paragraph, those persons who were
Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies) and only those
persons shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or
to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to
be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective
for more than 90 days after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall
bind every Holder unless it is of the type described in the second paragraph of
Section 9.02. In case of an amendment or waiver of the type described in the
second paragraph of Section 9.02, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder
who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the
same indebtedness as the Note of the consenting Holder.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment,
supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the
Holder to deliver such Note to the Trustee. At the Company's expense, the
Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms
and return it to the Holder and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on
any Note thereafter authenticated. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee
so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee
shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make
the appropriate notation, or issue a new Note, shall not affect the validity and
effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
SECTION 9.05. Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of
Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver
authorized pursuant to this Article Nine is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company. Subject to the
preceding sentence, the Trustee shall sign such amendment, supplement or waiver
if the same does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or
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immunities of the Trustee. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to,
execute any such amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee's own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
SECTION 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental
indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the
requirements of the TIA as then in effect.
ARTICLE TEN
SECURITY
SECTION 10.01. Security. (a) On the Closing Date, the Company shall (i)
enter into the Pledge Agreement and comply with the terms and provisions thereof
and (ii) purchase the Pledged Securities to be pledged to the Trustee for the
benefit of the Holders in such amount as will be sufficient upon receipt of
scheduled interest and principal payments of such Pledged Securities, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
selected by the Company, to provide for payment in full of the first six
scheduled interest payments due on the Notes. The Pledged Securities shall be
pledged by the Company to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders and shall
be held by the Collateral Agent in the Pledge Account pending disposition
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.
(b) Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Note, consents and agrees to
the terms of the Pledge Agreement (including, without limitation, the provisions
providing for foreclosure and release of the Pledged Securities) as the same may
be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms,
and authorizes and directs the Trustee and the Collateral Agent to enter into
the Pledge Agreement and to perform its respective obligations and exercise its
respective rights thereunder in accordance therewith. The Company will do or
cause to be done all such acts and things as may be necessary or proper, or as
may be required by the provisions of the Pledge Agreement, to assure and confirm
to the Trustee the security interest in the Pledged Securities contemplated
hereby, by the Pledge Agreement or any part thereof, as from time to time
constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of
this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and
purposes herein expressed. The Company shall take, or shall cause to be taken,
upon request of the Trustee, any and all actions reasonably required to cause
the Pledge Agreement to create and maintain, as security for the obligations of
the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, valid and enforceable first
priority liens in and on all the Pledged Securities, in favor of the Trustee,
superior to and prior to the rights of third Persons and subject to no other
Liens.
(c) The release of any Pledged Securities pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement will not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture in
contravention of the provisions hereof if and to the extent the Pledged
Securities are released pursuant to this Indenture and the Pledge Agreement. To
the extent applicable, the Company shall cause TIA Section 314(d)
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relating to the release of property or securities from the Lien and security
interest of the Pledge Agreement and relating to the substitution therefor of
any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien and security interest of
the Pledge Agreement to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by
TIA Section 314(d) may be made by an Officer of the Company, except in cases
where TIA Section 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an
independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or
other expert selected by the Company.
(d) The Company shall cause TIA Section 314(b), relating to Opinions of
Counsel regarding the Lien under the Pledge Agreement, to be complied with. The
Trustee may, to the extent permitted by Sections 7.01 and 7.02 hereof, accept as
conclusive evidence of compliance with the foregoing provisions the appropriate
statements contained in such Opinions of Counsel.
(e) The Trustee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of
the Holders, on behalf of the Holders, take all actions it deems necessary or
appropriate in order to (i) enforce any of the terms of the Pledge Agreement and
(ii) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the
obligations of the Company thereunder. The Trustee shall have the authority
necessary in order to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as the
Trustee may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the
interests of the Holders in the Pledged Securities (including the authority to
institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or
compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order
that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or
compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the security
interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders or of the
Trustee).
(f) Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody and
preservation thereof, the Trustee shall have no duty as to any Pledged
Securities in its possession or control or in the possession or control of the
Collateral Agent or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against
prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto, and the Trustee shall not
be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording
any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or
otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any security interest in
the Pledged Securities. The Trustee shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable
care in the custody and preservation of the Pledged Securities in its possession
if the Pledged Securities are accorded treatment substantially equal to that
which it accords its own property or property held in similar accounts and shall
not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of
the Pledged Securities, by reason of the act or omission of the Collateral
Agent, any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the
Trustee in good faith.
(g) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the existence, genuineness
or value of any of the Pledged Securities or for the validity, perfection,
priority or enforceability of the Liens in any of the Pledged Securities,
whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to
act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission
constitutes
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gross negligence, bad faith or wilful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, for
the validity or sufficiency of the Pledged Securities or any agreement or
assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of the Company to
the Pledged Securities, for insuring the Pledged Securities or for the payment
of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Pledged Securities or otherwise
as to the maintenance of the Pledged Securities. The Trustee shall have no duty
to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms
of this Indenture or the Pledge Agreement by the Company or the Collateral
Agent.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act of 1939. Prior to the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement, this Indenture shall incorporate and be governed
by the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of and to govern
indentures qualified under the TIA. After the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement, this Indenture shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA that are
required to be a part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be
governed by such provisions.
SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be
sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first-class
mail or sent by telecopier transmission addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
US XCHANGE, L.L.C.
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
if to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 00 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
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Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to it at
its address as it appears on the Security Register by first-class mail and shall
be sufficiently given to him if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice
or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section
313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Copies of any such communication or
notice to a Holder shall also be mailed to the Trustee and each Agent at the
same time.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder as provided
herein or any defect in any such notice or communication shall not affect its
sufficiency with respect to other Holders. Except for a notice to the Trustee,
which is deemed given only when received, and except as otherwise provided in
this Indenture, if a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided in
this Section 11.02, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may
be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either
before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such
notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such
filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in
reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by
reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail,
then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall
constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of
TIA Section 312(c).
SECTION 11.03. 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 stating that, in the opinion of
the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this
Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of
such Counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
SECTION 11.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Indenture
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shall include:
(i) a statement that each person signing such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
relating thereto;
(ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion
contained in such certificate or opinion is based;
(iii) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he
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 certificates of public
officials.
SECTION 11.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar. The Trustee
may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Paying
Agent or Registrar may make reasonable rules for its functions.
SECTION 11.06. Payment Date Other Than a Business Day. If an Interest
Payment Date, Redemption Date, Payment Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity
of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then payment of principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on such Note, as the case may be, need not be made on such
date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Payment Date or Redemption
Date, or at the Stated Maturity or date of maturity of such Note; provided that
no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment
Date, Payment Date, Redemption Date, Stated Maturity or date of maturity, as the
case may be.
SECTION 11.07. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Notes shall be
governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflicts of
laws principles thereof. The Trustee, the Company and the Holders agree to
submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in any action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 11.08. 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 Subsidiary of the Company. Any such indenture, loan or
debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
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SECTION 11.09. No Recourse Against Others. No recourse for the payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, or for
any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under
or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company contained in this
Indenture or in any of the Notes, or because of the creation of any Indebtedness
represented thereby, shall be had against any founding member or against any
past, present or future partner, stockholder, other equityholder, officer,
Director, employee or controlling person, as such, of the Company or of any
successor Person, either directly or through the Company or any successor
Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the
enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly
understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a
condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and
the issue of the Notes.
SECTION 11.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
SECTION 11.11. Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of
copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
SECTION 11.12. Separability. In case any provision in this Indenture or
in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected
or impaired thereby.
SECTION 11.13. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents,
Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be
considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms
and provisions hereof.
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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
US XCHANGE, L.L.C.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By: /s/ Xxxx Xx Xxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xx Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
90
EXHIBIT A
[APPLICABLE LEGENDS]
[FACE OF NOTE]
US XCHANGE, L.L.C.
15% Senior Note due 2008
[CUSIP] [CINS] [ISIN] [__________]
No. ____ $_________
US XCHANGE, L.L.C., a Michigan limited liability company (the
"Company," which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________ ($____) on July 1, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates: July 1 and January 1, commencing January 1,
1999.
Regular Record Dates: June 15 and December 15.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
US XCHANGE, L.L.C.
By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:
By: ______________________________________
Name:
Title:
91
A-2
(Trustee's Certificate of Authentication)
This is one of the 15% Senior Notes due 2008 described in the within-mentioned
Indenture.
Date: June 24, 1998
__________________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
By:
____________________________________
Authorized Signatory
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A-3
[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
US XCHANGE, L.L.C.
15% Senior Note due 2008
1. Principal and Interest.
The Company will pay the principal of this Note on July 1, 2008.
The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this
Note on each Interest Payment Date, as set forth below, at the rate per annum
shown above.
Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the
Notes at the close of business on the June 15 or December 15 immediately
preceding the Interest Payment Date) on each Interest Payment Date, commencing
January 1, 1999.
If an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") registered under the
Securities Act is not consummated and a Shelf Registration Statement under the
Securities Act with respect to resales of the Notes is not declared effective by
the Commission, on or before December 25, 1998 in accordance with the terms of
the Registration Rights Agreement, the annual interest rate borne by the Notes
shall be increased by 0.5% from the rate shown above accruing from December 25,
1998, payable in cash semiannually, in arrears, on each Interest Payment Date,
commencing January 1, 1999 until the Exchange Offer is consummated or the Shelf
Registration Statement is declared effective. The Holder of this Note is
entitled to the benefits of such Registration Rights Agreement.
Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from June 25, 1998;
provided that, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and
this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on the face
hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from
such Interest Payment Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal and premium, if
any, and interest on overdue installments of interest, to the extent lawful, at
a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise payable.
2. Method of Payment.
The Company will pay interest (except defaulted interest) on the
principal amount of
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the Notes as provided above on each July 1 and January 1, commencing January 1,
1999 to the persons who are Holders (as reflected in the Security Register at
the close of business on the June 15 or December 15 immediately preceding the
Interest Payment Date), in each case, even if the Note is cancelled on
registration of transfer or registration of exchange after such record date;
provided that, with respect to the payment of principal, the Company will make
payment to the Holder that surrenders this Note to a Paying Agent on or after
July 1, 2008.
The Company will pay principal, premium, if any, and as provided above,
interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts. However, the Company may pay
principal, premium, if any, and interest by its check payable in such money. It
may mail an interest check to a Holder's registered address (as reflected in the
Security Register). If a payment date is a date other than a Business Day at a
place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day
that is a Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
Initially, the Trustee will act as authenticating agent, Paying Agent
and Registrar. The Company may change any authenticating agent, Paying Agent or
Registrar without notice. The Company, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of
them may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar.
4. Indenture; Limitations.
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of June 25,
1998 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, trustee
(the "Trustee"). Capitalized terms herein are used as defined in the Indenture
unless otherwise indicated. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the
Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The
Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture
and the TIA for a statement of all such terms. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Note
and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company (except as
provided in Section 15 hereof).
The Company may, subject to Article Four of the Indenture and
applicable law, issue additional Notes under the Indenture.
5. Redemption Upon Receipt of Public Equity Offering Proceeds.
At any time and from time to time prior to July 1, 2001, the Company
may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes with the
proceeds of one or more
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Public Equity Offerings following which there is a Public Market, at any time or
from time to time in part, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of
principal amount) of 115%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
Redemption Date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant
Regular Record Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date to receive
interest due on an Interest Payment Date); provided that (i) at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued remains outstanding after
each such redemption and (ii) notice of such redemption shall be mailed within
60 days of the related Public Equity Offering.
Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in
part. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or
portions of Notes called for redemption, unless the Company defaults in the
payment of the Redemption Price.
6. Repurchase upon Change of Control.
Upon the occurrence of any Change of Control, each Holder shall have
the right to require the repurchase of its Notes by the Company in cash pursuant
to the offer described in the Indenture at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of purchase (the "Payment Date").
A notice of such Change of Control will be mailed within 30 days after
any Change of Control occurs to each Holder at its last address as it appears in
the Security Register. Notes in original denominations larger than $1,000 may be
sold to the Company in part. On and after the Payment Date, interest ceases to
accrue on Notes or portions of Notes surrendered for purchase by the Company,
unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price.
7. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 of principal amount and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder
may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by
law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer
or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption. Also, it need not register the
transfer or exchange of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the day of
mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes selected for redemption.
8. Persons Deemed Owners.
A Holder shall be treated as the owner of a Note for all purposes.
9. Unclaimed Money.
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If money for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee and the Paying Agent will pay the
money back to the Company at its written request. After that, Holders entitled
to the money must look to the Company for payment, unless an abandoned property
law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying
Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
10. Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.
If the Company deposits with the Trustee cash, Temporary Cash
Investments or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the then
outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes (a)
to redemption or maturity, the Company will be discharged from the Indenture and
the Notes, except in certain circumstances for certain provisions thereof, and
(b) to the Stated Maturity, the Company will be discharged from certain
covenants set forth in the Indenture, provided that if, simultaneously with the
deposit of the cash or Temporary Cash Investments and/or U.S. Government
Obligations referred to above, the Company has caused an irrevocable,
transferrable, standby letter of credit to be issued by a bank with capital and
surplus exceeding the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
then outstanding, expiring not earlier than 180 days from its issuance, in favor
of the Trustee, which permits the Trustee to draw an amount equal to the
principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes through the expiry
date of the letter of credit, then the Company will be deemed to have paid and
discharged any and all obligations under this clause on the date of the deposit
and issuance of the letter of credit.
11. Amendment; Supplement; Waiver.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Pledge Agreement or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any
existing default or compliance with any provision may be waived with the consent
of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding. Without notice to or the consent of any Holder, the parties thereto
may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and make any change that does not
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
12. Restrictive Covenants.
The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, among other things, to Incur additional
Indebtedness, make Restricted Payments, suffer to exist restrictions on the
ability of Restricted Subsidiaries to make certain payments to the Company,
issue Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, Guarantee Indebtedness of the
Company, engage in transactions with Affiliates, suffer to exist or incur Liens,
enter into sale-leaseback transactions, use the proceeds from Asset Sales, or
merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of its assets. Within 45 days
after the end of each fiscal
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quarter (90 days after the end of the last fiscal quarter of each year), the
Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating whether or
not the signers thereof know of any Default or Event of Default under such
restrictive covenants.
13. Successor Persons.
When a successor person or other entity assumes all the obligations of
its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor person will
be released from those obligations.
14. Defaults and Remedies.
Any of the following events constitutes an "Event of Default" under the
Indenture:
(a) default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if
any, on) any Note when the same becomes due and payable, upon
acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(b) default in the payment of interest on any Note when the
same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a period
of 30 days; provided that a failure to make any of the first six
scheduled interest payments on the Notes on the applicable Interest
Payment Date will constitute an Event of Default with no grace or cure
period;
(c) default in the performance or breach of the provisions of
Article Five or the failure to make or consummate an Offer to Purchase
in accordance with Sections 4.11 and 4.12 of the Indenture;
(d) the Company defaults in the performance of or breaches any
other covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or under
the Notes (other than a default specified in clause (a), (b) or (c)
above) and such default or breach continues for a period of 30
consecutive days after written notice by the Trustee or the Holders of
25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
(e) there occurs with respect to any issue or issues of
Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary having an
outstanding principal amount of $5 million or more in the aggregate for
all such issues of all such Persons, whether such Indebtedness now
exists or shall hereafter be created, (A) an event of default that has
caused the holder thereof to declare such Indebtedness to be due and
payable prior to its Stated Maturity and such Indebtedness has not been
discharged in full or such acceleration has not been rescinded or
annulled within 30 days of such acceleration and/or (B) the failure to
make a principal payment at the final (but not any interim) fixed
maturity and such defaulted payment shall not have been made, waived or
extended within 30 days of such payment default;
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(f) any final judgment or order (not covered by insurance) for
the payment of money in excess of $5 million in the aggregate for all
such final judgments or orders against all such Persons (treating any
deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so covered) shall be
rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and shall
not be paid or discharged, and there shall be any period of 30
consecutive days following entry of the final judgment or order that
causes the aggregate amount for all such final judgments or orders
outstanding and not paid or discharged against all such Persons to
exceed $5 million during which a stay of enforcement of such final
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall
not be in effect;
(g) a court having jurisdiction in the premises enters a
decree or order for (A) relief in respect of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect,
(B) appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or (C) the
winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary and, in each case, such decree or order shall
remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 30 consecutive days; or
(h) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (A) commences a
voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consents to the entry of an
order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, (B)
consents to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar
official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or
substantially all of the property and assets of the Company or any
Significant Subsidiary or (C) effects any general assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or
(i) the Pledge Agreement shall cease to be in full force and
effect or enforceable other than in accordance with its terms.
If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may, and at the direction of the Holders of at least 25%
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall, declare all
the Notes to be due and payable. If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with
respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become
due and payable. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as
provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it
before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations,
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
00
X-0
00. Security.
The Company has entered into the Pledge Agreement and purchased and
pledged to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders Pledged Securities in an
amount sufficient upon receipt of scheduled interest and principal payments on
such securities to provide for payment in full of the first six scheduled
interest payments due on the Notes. The Pledged Securities will be pledged by
the Company to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders and will be held by
the Collateral Agent in the Pledge Account pending disbursement pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement.
16. Trustee Dealings with the Company.
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from and perform services for the
Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its
Affiliates as if it were not the Trustee.
17. No Recourse Against Others.
No founding member or any past, present or future partner, stockholder,
other equityholder, officer, Director, employee or controlling person, as such,
of the Company or of any successor Person shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.
Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
18. Authentication.
This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or authenticating agent
signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
19. Governing Law.
This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York
without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.
20. Abbreviations.
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act).
The Company will furnish a copy of the Indenture to any Holder upon
written request
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and without charge. Requests may be made to US XCHANGE, L.L.C.,
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000, Attention:
Chief Financial Officer.
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[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
Insert Taxpayer Identification No.
________________________________________________________________________________
Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee
________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing ______________________________________________________ attorney
to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of
substitution in the premises.
[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED
ON ALL NOTES OTHER THAN EXCHANGE NOTES,
AND UNLEGENDED NOTES]
In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to the
date which is the earlier of (i) the date the Shelf Registration Statement is
declared effective or (ii) the end of the period referred to in Rule 144(k)
under the Securities Act, the undersigned confirms that without utilizing any
general solicitation or general advertising that:
[Check One]
[ ] (a) this Note is being transferred in compliance with the
exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933
provided by Rule 144A thereunder.
or
[ ] (b) this Note is being transferred other than in accordance
with (a) above and documents are being furnished which comply
with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the
Indenture.
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If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Registrar shall
not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the
Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of
registration set forth herein and in Section 2.08 of the Indenture shall have
been satisfied.
Date:_____________________ ____________________________________
NOTICE: The signature to this
assignment must correspond with the
name as written upon the face of the
within-mentioned instrument in every
particular, without alteration or any
change whatsoever.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (a) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note
for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole
investment discretion and that it and any such account is a "qualified
institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933 and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and
acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the
undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request
such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the
undersigned's foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from
registration provided by Rule 144A.
Dated:__________________ ______________________________________
NOTICE: To be executed by an executive
officer
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 4.11 or 4.12 of the Indenture, check the Box: [ ]
If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.12 of the Indenture, state the amount:
$___________________.
Date: _____________
Your Signature:
______________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Signature Guarantee: ______________________________
103
EXHIBIT B
Form of Certificate
________, ___
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 00 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
Re: US Xchange, L.L.C. (the "Company")
15% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
This letter relates to U.S. $ _________ principal amount of Notes
represented by a Note (the "Legended Note") which bears a legend outlining
restrictions upon transfer of such Legended Note. Pursuant to Section 2.02 of
the Indenture dated as of June 25, 1998 (the "Indenture") relating to the Notes,
we hereby certify that we are (or we hold such securities on behalf of) a person
outside the United States to whom the Notes could be transferred in accordance
with Rule 904 of Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
Accordingly, you are hereby requested to exchange the legended certificate for
an unlegended certificate representing an identical principal amount of Notes,
all in the manner provided for in the Indenture.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Holder]
By:
_____________________________
Authorized Signature
104
'
EXHIBIT C
Form of Certificate to Be
Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors
________, ___
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 00 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
Re: US Xchange, L.L.C. (the "Company")
15% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed purchase of $ ________________
aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes is subject to
certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture dated as of June
25, 1998 (the "Indenture") relating to the Notes and the undersigned agrees to
be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes except in
compliance with such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933,
amended (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes may not be offered or
sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf
and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated,
that if we should sell any Notes within the time period referred to in Rule
144(k) of the Securities Act, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any
subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to
a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional
"accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes
(or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the
Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such
transfer is in respect of an aggregate principal amount of less than $100,000,
an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Company that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance
with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the
exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if
available) or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing any of
the
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Notes from us a notice advising such purchaser that resales of the Notes are
restricted as stated herein.
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of any Notes, we will be
required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions
and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm
that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further
understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing
effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of
our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes purchased by us for our own account or for
one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited investor")
as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferee]
By
---------------------------------
Authorized Signature
106
EXHIBIT D
Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in
Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S
--------------------------------------------------
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 00 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration
Re: US Xchange, L.L.C. (the "Company")
15% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Notes")
Dear Sirs:
In connection with our proposed sale of U.S.$ aggregate principal amount
of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in
accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933 and, accordingly,
we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the
United States;
(2) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was
outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf
reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States;
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made by us in the
United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or
Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and
(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the
meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:
--------------------
Authorized Signature
