Exhibit 10.9
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EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 26, 1997
by and between
COMFORCE OPERATING, INC.
and
NATWEST CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED
as the Initial Purchaser
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$110,000,000
12% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated
as of November 26, 1997, by and between COMFORCE Operating, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company") and NatWest Capital Markets Limited (the "Initial
Purchaser").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase Agreement,
dated November 19, 1997, between the Company and the Initial Purchaser (the
"Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial
Purchaser of $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 12% Senior
Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"). In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to enter
into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration
rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchaser and
its direct and indirect transferees. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchaser to purchase
the Notes under the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
Additional Interest: Has the meaning provided in Section 4(a) hereof.
Advice: Has the meaning provided in the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: Has the meaning provided in the first introductory paragraph
hereto.
Applicable Period: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(b) hereof.
Closing Date: Has the meaning provided in the Purchase Agreement.
Company: Has the meaning provided in the first introductory paragraph
hereto.
Effectiveness Date: The 90th day after the Issue Date.
Effectiveness Period: Has the meaning provided in Section 3(a) hereof.
Event Date: Has the meaning provided in Section 4(b) hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(a) hereof.
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Exchange Offer: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(a) hereof.
Exchange Registration Statement: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(a)
hereof.
Filing Date: The 30th day after the Issue Date.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Person: Has the meaning provided in Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: Has the meaning provided in Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of November 26, 1997 between the Company
and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Notes are being
issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof.
Initial Purchaser: Has the meaning provided in the first introductory
paragraph hereto.
Inspectors: Has the meaning provided in Section 5(o) hereof.
Issue Date: The date on which the original Notes were sold to the Initial
Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
NASD: Has the meaning provided in Section 5(s) hereof.
Notes: Has the meaning provided in the second introductory paragraph
hereto.
Participant: Has the meaning provided in Section 7(a) hereof.
Participating Broker-Dealer: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(b)
hereof.
Persons: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
union, business association, firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(b) hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(b) hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
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prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement including
post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed
to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: Has the meaning provided in the second introductory
paragraph hereto.
Records: Has the meaning provided in Section 5(o) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon original issuance of the Notes and at all
times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof
is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and
each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until in the case of any such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, the earliest to occur of (i) a Registration
Statement (other than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to which Section
2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange Registration Statement) covering
such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
declared effective by the SEC and such Note (unless such Note was not tendered
for exchange by the Holder thereof), Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as
the case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective
Registration Statement, (ii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note,
as the case may be, is, or may be, sold in compliance with Rule 144, or (iii)
such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to
be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company,
including, but not limited to, the Exchange Registration Statement, that covers
any of the Registrable Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.
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SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: Has the meaning provided in Section 2(c) hereof.
Shelf Registration: Has the meaning provided in Section 3(a) hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: shall mean a "shelf" registration statement
of the Company which covers all of the Registrable Notes on an appropriate form
under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by
the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement,
including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus
contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by
reference therein.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee(s): The trustee under the Indenture and, if existent, the trustee
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (if
any).
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in which
securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
2. Exchange Offer
(a) The Company agrees to file with the SEC no later than the Filing Date
an offer to exchange (the "Exchange Offer") any and all of the Registrable Notes
(other than the Private Exchange Notes, if any) for a like aggregate principal
amount of debt securities of the Company which are identical in all material
respects to the Notes (the "Exchange Notes") (and which are entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all
material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or
any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with any
requirements of the SEC to effect or maintain the qualification thereof under
the TIA) and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA), except
that the Exchange Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes, if any) shall have
been registered pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the
Securities Act and shall contain no restrictive legend thereon. The Exchange
Offer shall be registered under the Securities Act on the appropriate form (the
"Exchange Registration Statement") and shall comply with all applicable tender
offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act. The Company agrees to use
its best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Securities Act no later than the 90th day after the Issue
Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 30 business days (or longer
if required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer
is mailed to the Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to
the 130th day following the Issue
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Date. If after such Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective by the
SEC, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder is
interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of
the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, such Exchange Registration
Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes of this
Agreement until such stop order, injunction or other order or requirement is no
longer in effect. Each Holder who participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required to represent that any Exchange Notes received by it will be acquired in
the ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of the
Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes in violation of
the provisions of the Securities Act, and that such Holder in not an "affiliate"
of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of
the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the Company shall have no
further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange
Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause 2(c)(v)
hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof. No securities other than the
Exchange Notes shall be included in the Exchange Registration Statement.
(b) The Company shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchaser, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the Staff of the SEC with
respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange
Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a "Participating
Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been publicly
disseminated by the Staff of the SEC or such positions or policies, in the
judgment of the Initial Purchaser, represent the prevailing views of the Staff
of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also expressly permit the
use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, including all Participating Broker-Dealers,
and include a statement describing the means by which Participating
Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes.
The Company shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Registration
Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus contained
therein, in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by any
Participating Broker-Dealer subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act for such period of time as is necessary to comply with
applicable law in connection with any resale of the Exchange Notes; provided,
however, that such period shall not exceed 180 days after the consummation of
the Exchange Offer (or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the "Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial Purchaser
holds any Notes acquired by it and having the status of an unsold allotment in
the initial distribution, the Company shall, upon the request of the Initial
Purchaser, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser in exchange (the
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"Private Exchange") for such Notes held by the Initial Purchaser a like
principal amount of debt securities of the Company that are identical in all
material respects to the Exchange Notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") (and
which are issued pursuant to the same Indenture as the Exchange Notes) except
for the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private Exchange Notes. The
Private Exchange Notes shall, if permissible, bear the same CUSIP number as the
Exchange Notes.
Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes will accrue
from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Notes
surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes,
from the Issue Date.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:
(1) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;
(2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with
an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
(3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the
close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which the
Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Notes tendered and not validly withdrawn
pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes so accepted for
exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
Holder Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be,
equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for
exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes are to be issued under
(i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects to the
Indenture, which in either event shall provide that (1) the Exchange Notes shall
not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and (2)
the Private Exchange Notes shall be subject to the transfer restrictions set
forth in the Indenture. The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the
Exchange Notes, the Private
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Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all matters as
to which they have the right to vote or consent as one class and that none of
the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange Notes or the Notes will have the right
to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter.
(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the Staff of the SEC, the Company is not permitted to effect
an Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 165 days
after the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests at
any time after the consummation of the Private Exchange, or (iv) any Holder
(other than the Initial Purchaser) is not eligible to participate in the
Exchange Offer, then the Company shall promptly deliver written notice thereof
(the "Shelf Notice") to the Trustee and, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)
above, all Holders, in the case of clause (iii) above, the Holders of the
Private Exchange Notes and, in the case of clause (iv) above, the affected
Holder, and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
3. Shelf Registration If a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Company shall as promptly as reasonably
practicable file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an offering to be
made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable
Notes (the "Shelf Registration"). If the Company shall not have yet filed an
Exchange Registration Statement, the Company shall use its best efforts to file
with the SEC the Shelf Registration on or prior to the Filing Date. The Shelf
Registration shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting
registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or
manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more
underwritten offerings). The Company shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Notes to be included in the Shelf Registration.
The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Shelf Registration to
be declared effective under the Securities Act by the earlier of the 90th day
after the Shelf Request or the 165th day after the Issue Date and to keep the
Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the
date which is two years from the Issue Date, subject to extension pursuant to
the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof, or such shorter period ending when all
Registrable Notes covered by the Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner
set forth and as contemplated in the Shelf Registration or when the Notes become
eligible for registration without volume restrictions, pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act (the "Effectiveness Period").
(b) Withdrawal of Stop Orders. If the Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than
because of the sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Company
shall use its best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Company shall promptly supplement
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and amend the Shelf Registration if required by the rules, regulations or
instructions applicable to the registration form used for such Shelf
Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably requested for
such purpose by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter
of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest
(a) The Company and the Initial Purchaser agree that the Holders of
Registrable Notes will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its
obligations under Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly,
the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages and as the sole and exclusive
remedy therefor, additional interest on the Notes ("Additional Interest") under
the circumstances and to the extent set forth below:
(i) if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration
Statement is not filed with the SEC within, in the case the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, 30 days following the Issue Date or, in the case of
the Shelf Registration Statement, 30 days following a Shelf Request,
Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above the stated
interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 60 days commencing on
the 31st day after the Issue Date or the Shelf Request, respectively, such
Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the
beginning of each subsequent 90-day period;
(ii) if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement is not declared effective within, in the case of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, 90 days following the Issue Date or,
in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement, 90 days following a Shelf
Request, Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above the
stated interest at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days
commencing on the 91st day after the Issue Date or the Shelf Request,
respectively, such Additional Interest rate increasing by an additional
0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Company has not exchanged all Notes validly tendered
in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to 130 days
after the Issue Date or (B) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
ceases to be effective at any time prior to the time that the Exchange
Offer is consummated or (C) if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement
has been declared effective and such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to
be effective at any time prior to the second anniversary of the Issue Date
(unless all the Notes have been sold thereunder), then Additional Interest
shall accrue on the Notes over and above the stated interest at a rate of
0.50% per annum for the first 50 days commencing on (x) the 131st day after
the Issue Date with respect to the Notes validly tendered and not exchanged
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by the Company, in the case of (A) above, or (y) the day the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement ceases to be effective or usable for its intended
purpose in the case of (B) above, or (z) the day such Shelf Registration
Statement ceases to be effective in the case of (C) above, such Additional
Interest rate increasing by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning
of each subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes under clauses
(i), (ii) or (iii) above, may not exceed in the aggregate 2.0% per annum; and
provided further, that (1) upon the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or Shelf Registration Statement (in the case of clause (i) above), (2)
upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf
Registration Statement (in the case of (ii) above), or (3) upon the exchange of
Exchange Notes for all Notes tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) above), or
upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement which had
ceased to remain effective (in the case of clause (iii)(B) above), or upon the
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of clause (iii)(C) above), Additional Interest on the
Notes as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the
case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee within one business day after each
and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which Additional Interest
is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). The Company shall pay the Additional
Interest due on the transfer restricted Notes by depositing with the paying
agent (which shall not be the Company for these purposes) for the transfer
restricted Notes, in trust, for the benefit of the holders thereof, prior to
11:00 A.M. on the next interest payment date specified by the Indenture (or such
other indenture), sums sufficient to pay the Additional Interest then due. Any
amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii) or
(a)(iii) of this Section 4 will be payable to the Holders of affected Notes in
cash semi-annually on each interest payment date specified by the Indenture (or
such other indenture) to the record holders entitled to receive the interest
payment to be made on such date, commencing with the first such date occurring
after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional
Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest
rate by the principal amount of the affected Registrable Notes of such Holders,
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such
Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the
basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a
partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which
is 360.
5. Registration Procedures In connection with the filing of any
Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Company shall
effect such registration(s) to permit the sale of the securities covered thereby
in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, and
pursuant thereto and in connection with any Registration Statement filed by the
Company hereunder, the Company shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the Filing Date a Registration
Statement
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or Registration Statements as prescribed by Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use
their best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become effective
and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that, if (1) such
filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in an
Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required
to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who
seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, before filing any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto,
the Company shall, if requested in writing, furnish to and afford the Holders of
the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such
documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference
therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least
three business days prior to such filing). The Company shall not file any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto in
respect of which the Holders must be afforded an opportunity to review prior to
the filing of such document under the immediately preceding sentence, if the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement, or any such Participating Broker-Dealer,
as the case may be, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall
object thereto in writing, which writing shall set forth a reasonable basis for
such objection.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Registration Statement, as the
case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period or
until consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be; cause the related
Prospectus to be supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by
applicable law, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any
similar provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable
to it with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented
and with respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus; the Company shall be
deemed not to have used its best efforts to keep a Registration Statement
effective during the Applicable Period if it voluntarily takes any action that
would result in selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered thereby or
Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to
sell such Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period unless
such action is required by applicable law or unless the Company complies with
this Agreement, including without limitation, the provisions of paragraph 5(k)
hereof and the last paragraph of this Section 5.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes,
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or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and
the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within two
business days), and confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the
same has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole expense
of the Company, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement or
post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules, documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of
the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,
(iii) if at any time when a Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be
delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Notes or resales of
Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in any agreement (including any underwriting
agreement), contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof cease to be true and correct,
(iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of a
Registration Statement or any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to
be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or
any information becoming known that makes any statement made in such
Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or
that requires the making of any changes in or amendments or supplements to such
Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the
Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of
the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, and (vi) of the determination by the Company that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) Use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any order suspending
the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes for
sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible
moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof and if
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), or the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold
in connection with an underwritten offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a
prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the
managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such Holders, or counsel for any
of them
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reasonably request to be included therein, (ii) make all required filings of
such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as
practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment, and
(iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes and to
each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests and to counsel and each
managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of the Company, one conformed
copy of the Registration Statement or Registration Statements and each
post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules,
and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
therein by reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Notes, or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their respective counsel,
and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the Company, as many copies
of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of preliminary
prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents
incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably request; and,
subject to the last paragraph of this Section 5, the Company hereby consents to
the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of
the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case-may be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and
dealers (if any), in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable
Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange
Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any delivery of a
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration Statement by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, to
use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Notes (and to
cooperate with selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Notes) for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in
writing; provided, however, that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an
underwritten offering, the Company agrees to
-12-
cause their counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file registrations
and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section 5(h); keep each
such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any
and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration
Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (A)
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general service of
process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject
itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such
Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may reasonably
request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by the
Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders
thereof or the underwriter or underwriters, if any, to dispose of such
Registrable Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the
nature of a selling Holder's business, in which case the Company will cooperate
in all reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and
the granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any
Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph
5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable prepare and (subject to
Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Company, a
supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so
that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Notes being
sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such
Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any such
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading; provided, that this Section 5(k) shall not be deemed to require
the Company to disclose any information that, in the good faith opinion of the
management of the Company, is not yet required to be disclosed and would
-13-
not be in the best interests of the Company to disclose, so long as the Company
complies with all applicable laws and government regulations and the last
paragraph of this Section 5.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with certificates for
the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number
for the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering by the Company of
Registrable Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting
agreement as is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar
to the Notes and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters in order to facilitate the registration or
the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with
respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries and the Registration
Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by
issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to
the Notes, and confirm the same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain
the written opinion of counsel to the Company and written updates thereof in
form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily
covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings of debt similar to the
Notes and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public accountants of
the Company (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public
accountants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the
Company or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries for which financial
statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of
the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings of debt similar to the Notes and such other matters as
reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; and (iv) if an
underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set forth in Section 7
hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to the Company and
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or
agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or
(2) a Prospectus contained in an Exchange Registration Statement filed pursuant
to Section 2 hereof is
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required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period,
make available for inspection by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes
being sold, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any
underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any,
and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept, during
reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent cor porate
documents and instruments of the Company and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to
enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause
the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries to make available for inspection all information reasonably
requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement.
Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and any
Records which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed
by the Inspectors unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to
avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such Registration Statement, (ii)
the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such information is,
in the opinion of counsel (a copy of which shall be delivered to the Company)
for any Inspector, necessary or advisable in connection with any action, claim,
suit or proceeding, directly or indirectly, involving or potentially involving
such Inspector and arising out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this
Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or arising hereunder, or (iv)
the information in such Records has been made generally available to the public.
Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such Participating
Broker-Dealer will be required to agree that information obtained by it as a
result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by
it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company or
any of its affiliates unless and until such information is generally available
to the public. Each selling Holder of such Registrable Notes and each such
Participating Broker-Dealer will be required to further agree that it will, upon
learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent
jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential at
the Company' sole expense.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust indenture
provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be qualified under
the TIA not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders
of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such indenture as may be
required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to execute,
all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so
qualified in a timely manner.
-15-
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make
generally available to its securityholders earnings statements satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or
any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 45 days
after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month
period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal
quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment
or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in
such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements
shall cover said 12-month periods.
(q) If an Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon
delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Company (or to such other
Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Company shall xxxx, or cause to
be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are being
cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as
the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable Notes be marked as paid or
otherwise satisfied.
(r) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(s) Use its best efforts to take all other steps necessary or advisable to
effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.
The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which any
Registration Statement is being effected to furnish to the Company such
information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes
as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Company may
exclude from such Registration Statement the Registrable Notes of any seller who
unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after
receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration is being
effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to
be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the
Company by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that, upon actual receipt
of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind
described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, covered by such Registration Statement or
Prospectus to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, until such Holder's or Participating Broker-
-16-
Dealer's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the
"Advice") by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be
resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto. In
the event the Company shall give any such notice, each of the Effectiveness
Period and the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during
such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof or (y)
the Advice. In the event the Company does not give any such notice within five
business days, each Holder shall return such Registration Statement or
Prospectus to the Company or destroy all copies of such Registration Statement
or Prospectus; and if so requested by the Company, shall certify that all copies
of the Registration Statement or Prospectus were destroyed.
6. Registration Expenses
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with
this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not the
Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, including,
without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without
limitation, (A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD
in connection with an underwritten offering and (B) fees and expenses of
compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel in
connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders
of Registrable Notes are located, in the case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as
provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the case of Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable
Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible
for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses if
the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and
delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v)
fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred
to in Section 5(n)(iii) hereof (including, without limitation, the expenses of
any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to such
performance by or incident to such performance), (vi) rating agency fees, if
any, and any fees associated with making the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes
eligible for trading through The Depository Trust Company, (vii) Securities Act
liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (viii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company, (ix) internal expenses of
the Company (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
officers and
-17-
employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (x) the expense
of any annual audit, (ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange or any
inter-dealer quotation system, if applicable, and (xii) the expenses relating to
printing, word processing and distributing all Registration Statements,
underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements, indentures and any other
documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
(b) The Company shall reimburse the Holders of the Registrable Notes being
registered in a Shelf Registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of
not more than one counsel chosen in writing by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes to be included in such
Registration Statement. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the Initial
Purchaser for the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel in connection with
the Exchange Offer which counsel shall be White & Case, and shall not be
required to pay any other legal expenses of the Initial Purchaser in connection
therewith.
7. Indemnification.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of
Registrable Notes offered pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and each
Participating Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period,
the affiliates, directors, officers, agents, representatives and employees of
each such Person or its affiliates, and each other Person, if any, who controls
any such Person or its affiliates within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a "Participant") from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including,
without limitation, the reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually
incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim
asserted) caused by, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement pursuant to which the offering of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, is registered (or any amendment thereto) or related
Prospectus (or any amendments or supplements thereto) or any related preliminary
prospectus, or caused by, arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Company will
not be required to indemnify a Participant if (i) such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Participant
expressly for use therein or (ii) if such Participant sold to the person
asserting the claim the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes which are the
subject of such claim and such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission was contained or made in any preliminary prospectus and
corrected in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto and the
Prospectus does not contain any other untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission of a material fact that was the subject matter of
the related proceeding and
-18-
such Participant failed to deliver or provide a copy of the Prospectus (as
amended or supplemented) to such Person with or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes sold to such Person if required
by applicable laws, unless such failure to deliver or provide a copy of the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) was a result of noncompliance by the
Company with Section 5 of this Agreement.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, their respective directors and officers and each
Person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Participant, but only (i) with
reference to information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of
such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary prospectus or (ii) with
respect to any untrue statement or representation made by such Participant in
writing to the Company.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
Person") in writing, and the Indemnifying Person, shall have the right to retain
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the
Indemnified Person and any others the Indemnifying Person may reasonably
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses
actually incurred by such counsel related to such proceeding; provided, however,
that the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it of
any obligation or liability which it may have hereunder or otherwise (unless and
only to the extent that such failure results in the loss or compromise of any
material rights or defenses by the Indemnifying Person). In any such proceeding,
any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified
Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have
mutually agreed in writing to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall
have failed within a reasonable period of time to retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such
proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying
Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same
counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between them. It is understood that, unless there exists a conflict among
Indemnified Persons, the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any
one such proceeding or separate but substantially similar related proceeding in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations, be liable for
the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such reasonable fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate
firm for the Participants and such control Persons of Participants shall be
designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of
Registrable Notes and Exchange Notes sold by all
-19-
such Participants and any such separate firm for the Company, their directors,
their officers and such control Persons of the Company shall be designated in
writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its prior written consent, but if
settled with such consent or if there be a final non-appealable judgment for the
plaintiff for which the Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement or com
promise of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
Indemnified Person is or could have been a party, and indemnity could have been
sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes
an unconditional written release of such Indemnified Person, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability
on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding, (B) does not include
any statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or
on behalf of any Indemnified Person and (C) does not impose any non-monetary
relief applicable to the Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) hereof is
for any reason unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an Indemnified
Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to
therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraphs, in lieu of
indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in order to provide for just
and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other from the offering of the Notes or
(ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause (i) is not permitted by
applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of
the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the Indemnified Person or
Persons on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or alleged
statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof). The relative fault of the parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the
one hand or such Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may
be, on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purposes) or by
any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall
be deemed to include, subject to
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the limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually
incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, in no event shall a Participant be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which proceeds received by such Participant from
sales of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the
amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay
or has paid by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7
will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons may
otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rules 144 and 144A. The Company covenants that it will file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and,
if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon
the request of any Holder of Registrable Notes, make publicly available annual
reports and such information, documents and other reports of the type specified
in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants for
so long as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding, to make available to any
Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes in connection with any sale
thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Notes from such Holder
or beneficial owner the information required by Rule 144(d)(4) under the
Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Notes pursuant to
Rule 144A.
9. Underwritten Registrations. If any of the Registrable Notes covered by
any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will manage
the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of such Registrable Notes included in such offering and
reasonably acceptable to the Company.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered, as of the date
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hereof, and the Company shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Other than as provided in
Schedule A attached hereto the Company has not entered and the Company will not
enter into any agreement with respect to any of its securities which will grant
to any Person piggyback registration rights with respect to a Registration
Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. Other than as provided in
Schedule B attached hereto the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, take
any action with respect to the Registrable Notes as a class that would adversely
affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable Notes to include such
Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the then outstanding Registrable Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a
waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter
that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose
securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not
directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other
Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the provisions
of this sentence may not be amended, modified or supplemented except in
accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including, without
limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
1. if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner to the Initial
Purchaser as follows:
NatWest Capital Markets Limited
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX0X 0XX
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxx
with a copy to:
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White & Case
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile No: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
2. if to the Initial Purchaser, at the addresses specified in Section
10(d)(1);
3. if to the Company, as follows:
COMFORCE Operating, Inc.
c/o COMFORCE Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx
with a copy to:
Doepken, Keevican & Xxxxx
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
58th Floor, USX Tower
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto;
provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be
binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such
successor or assign holds Registerable Notes.
(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning thereof.
(h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal,
void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in
no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use
their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) Notes Held by the Company or its Affiliates. Whenever the consent or
approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registerable Notes is required
hereunder, Registerable Notes held by the Company or its affiliates (as such
term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted in
determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage.
(k) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registerable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third party beneficiaries of this
Agreement and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed the Agreement as of the date
first written above.
Issuer:
COMFORCE OPERATING, INC.
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
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The foregoing Agreement is
hereby confirmed and accepted
as of the date first above
written:
NATWEST CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
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