ADIDAS AG AND DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS As Depositary AND OWNERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement Dated as of January , 2010
Β
________________________________________________________________________
Β
ADIDAS
AG
Β
Β
AND
Β
Β
DEUTSCHE
BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Β
As
Depositary
Β
Β
AND
Β
Β
OWNERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
Β
Β
Second
Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement
Β
Β
Dated as
of JanuaryΒ Β Β Β , 2010
Β
Β
________________________________________________________________________
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Β
ARTICLE
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
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Β |
Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
1.01.
|
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
|
1
|
SECTION
1.02.
|
BENEFICIAL
OWNER
|
2
|
SECTION
1.03.
|
COMMISSION
|
2
|
SECTION
1.04.
|
COMPANY
|
2
|
SECTION
1.05
|
CUSTODIAN
|
2
|
SECTION
1.06
|
2
|
|
SECTION
1.07
|
DEPOSIT,
DELIVER, EXECUTE, ISSUE, REGISTER, SURRENDER, TRANSFER,
|
Β |
Β |
WITHDRAW
OR CANCEL
|
2
|
SECTION
1.08
|
DEPOSITARY;
CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE
|
3
|
SECTION
1.09
|
DEPOSITED
SECURITIES.
|
3
|
SECTION
1.10
|
DOLLARS;
EURO
|
3
|
SECTION
1.11
|
FOREIGN
XXXXXXXXX
|
0
|
SECTION
1.12
|
OWNER
|
3
|
SECTION
1.13
|
RECEIPTS
|
3
|
SECTION
1.14
|
REGISTRAR.
|
3
|
SECTION
1.15
|
RESTRICTED
SECURITIES
|
4
|
SECTION
1.16
|
SATZUNG
|
4
|
SECTION
1.17
|
SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933
|
4
|
SECTION
1.18
|
SHARES
|
4
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
2.
|
FORM
OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY,
|
Β |
Β |
TRANSFER
AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
|
Β |
Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
2.01
|
FORM
AND TRANSFERABILITY OF RECEIPTS
|
4
|
SECTION
2.02
|
DEPOSIT
OF SHARES
|
5
|
SECTION
2.03
|
EXECUTION
AND DELIVERY OF RECEIPTS
|
6
|
SECTION
2.04
|
TRANSFER
OF RECEIPTS; COMBINATION AND SPLIT-UP OF RECEIPTS.
|
7
|
SECTION
2.05
|
SURRENDER
OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES
|
8
|
SECTION
2.06
|
LIMITATIONS
ON EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND
|
Β |
Β |
SURRENDER
OF RECEIPTS
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9
|
SECTION
2.07
|
LOST
RECEIPTS, ETC.
|
9
|
SECTION
2.08
|
CANCELLATION
AND DESTRUCTION OF SURRENDERED RECEIPTS.
|
10
|
SECTION
2.09
|
PRE-RELEASE
OF RECEIPTS
|
10
|
SECTION
2.10
|
UNCERTIFICATED
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES; DTC DIRECT
|
Β |
Β |
REGISTRATION
SYSTEM.
|
11
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
3.
|
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
|
Β |
Β |
RECEIPTS
|
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Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
3.01
|
FILING
PROOFS, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION.
|
13
|
SECTION
3.02
|
LIABILITY
OF OWNER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER FOR TAXES.
|
13
|
SECTION
3.03
|
WARRANTIES
ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES
|
14
|
SECTION
3.04
|
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST
|
14
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
4.
|
THE
DEPOSITED SECURITIES
|
Β |
Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
4.01
|
CASH
DISTRIBUTIONS
|
14
|
SECTION
4.02
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
OTHER THAN CASH, SHARES OR RIGHTS.
|
15
|
SECTION
4.03
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
IN SHARES
|
15
|
SECTION
4.04
|
RIGHTS
|
16
|
SECTION
4.05
|
CONVERSION
OF FOREIGN CURRENCY
|
17
|
SECTION
4.06Β Β
|
FIXING
OF RECORD DATE
|
18
|
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β
SECTION
4.07
|
VOTING
OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES
|
19
|
SECTION
4.08
|
CHANGES
AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES
|
21
|
SECTION
4.09
|
REPORTS
|
21
|
SECTION
4.10
|
LISTS
OF OWNERS
|
21
|
SECTION
4.11
|
WITHHOLDING
|
22
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
5.
|
THE
DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE COMPANY
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Β |
Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
5.01
|
MAINTENANCE
OF OFFICE AND TRANSFER BOOKS BY THE DEPOSITARY.
|
22
|
SECTION
5.02
|
PREVENTION
OR DELAY IN PERFORMANCE BY THE DEPOSITARY OR THE
|
Β |
Β |
COMPANY
|
23
|
SECTION
5.03
|
OBLIGATIONS
OF THE DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY
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23
|
SECTION
5.04
|
RESIGNATION
AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY
|
24
|
SECTION
5.05
|
THE
CUSTODIANS.
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25
|
SECTION
5.06
|
NOTICES
AND REPORTS.
|
25
|
SECTION
5.07
|
DISTRIBUTION
OF ADDITIONAL SHARES, RIGHTS, ETC
|
26
|
SECTION
5.08
|
INDEMNIFICATION.
|
26
|
SECTION
5.09
|
CHARGES
OF DEPOSITARY
|
28
|
SECTION
5.10
|
RETENTION
OF DEPOSITARY DOCUMENTS.
|
29
|
SECTION
5.11
|
EXCLUSIVITY
|
29
|
SECTION
5.12
|
LIST
OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES OWNERS.
|
29
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
6.
|
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
|
Β |
Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
6.01
|
AMENDMENT.
|
29
|
SECTION
6.02
|
TERMINATION
|
30
|
Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
7.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
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Β | Β | Β |
SECTION
7.01
|
COUNTERPARTS.
|
31
|
SECTION
7.02
|
NO
THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES
|
31
|
SECTION
7.03
|
SEVERABILITY
|
31
|
SECTION
7.04
|
OWNERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS AS PARTIES; BINDING EFFECT
|
31
|
SECTION
7.05
|
NOTICES.
|
31
|
SECTION
7.06
|
SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION; APPOINTMENT OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF
|
Β |
Β |
PROCESS
|
32
|
SECTION
7.07
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
32
|
SECTION
7.07Β Β
|
COMPLIANCE
WITH U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
|
33
|
Β
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Β
Β
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Β
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of JanuaryΒ Β , 2010,
among ADIDAS AG, incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
(herein called the "Company"), DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as
depositary (herein called the "Depositary"), and all Owners and Beneficial
Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued
hereunder.
Β
W I T N E
S S E T H:
Β
WHEREAS, the Company, The Bank
of New York Mellon, as depositary, and all Owners and Beneficial Owners from
time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder entered into a
deposit agreement dated as of December 30, 2004 as amended and restated as of
March 17, 2009 (the βOriginal Deposit Agreementβ)Β to provide
for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company with the
Custodian as agent of The Bank of New York Mellon for the purposes set forth in
such Original Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American depositary shares
representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of
American depositary receipts ("Old Receipts") evidencing the American depositary
shares; and
Β
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section
5.04 of the Original Deposit Agreement, the Company removed The Bank of New York
Mellon, as depositary, and appointed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as
successor depositary (hereinafter called the βDepositaryβ); and
Β
WHEREAS, the Company and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas,Β Β in its capacity as successor
depositary under the Original Deposit Agreement, now wish to amend and restate
the Original Deposit Agreement and the Old Receipts; and
Β
WHEREAS, the Company desires
to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Deposit
Agreement, for the further deposit of SharesΒ Β of the Company from time
to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined) as
agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Second Amended and
Restated Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares
representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of
American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares;
and
Β
WHEREAS, the American
Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed
hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter
provided in this Deposit Agreement;
Β
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as
follows:
Β
Β
1
Β
Β
ARTICLE
1.
DEFINITIONS
Β
The
following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly
indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement (as
hereinafter defined):
Β
SECTION
1.01
|
American Depositary
Shares.
|
Β
The term
"American Depositary Shares" shall mean the securities representing the
interests in the Deposited Securities and evidenced by the Receipts issued
hereunder. Β American Depositary Shares may be certificated securities
evidenced by Receipts or uncertificated securities. Β The form of Receipt
annexed as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement shall be the prospectus required
under the Securities Act of 1933 for sales of both certificated and
uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Β Except for those provisions of
this Deposit Agreement that refer specifically to Receipts, all the provisions
of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to both certificated and uncertificated
American Depositary Shares. Β Each American Depositary Share shall represent
the number of Shares specified in Exhibit A annexed hereto, until there shall
occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.03 or a
change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.08 with respect to which
additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American
Depositary Shares shall evidence the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities
specified in such Sections.
Β
SECTION
1.02
|
Beneficial
Owner.
|
Β
The term
"Beneficial Owner" shall mean each person owning from time to time any
beneficial interest in the American Depositary Shares evidenced by any
Receipt.
Β
SECTION
1.03
|
Commission.
|
Β
The term
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United
States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
Β
SECTION
1.04
|
Company.
|
Β
The term
"Company" shall mean adidas AG, incorporated under the laws of the Federal
Republic of Germany, and its successors.
Β
SECTION
1.05
|
Custodian.
|
Β
The term
"Custodian" shall mean Deutsche Bank AG, having its principal office at
Xxxxxx-Xxxxxxxxxx-Xxxxx 00-00, 00000 Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, as agent of the
Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or
corporation which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the
terms of Section 5.05, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians
hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them
collectively.
Β
Β
2
Β
Β
SECTION
1.06
|
Deposit
Agreement.
|
Β
The term
"Deposit Agreement" shall mean this Second Amended and Restated Deposit
Agreement,Β Β and as the same may be further amended from time to time
in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Β
SECTION
1.07
|
Deposit, deliver,
execute, issue, register, surrender, transfer, withdraw or
cancel.
|
Β
The terms
"deposit", "deliver", "execute", "issue", "register", "surrender", "transfer",
"withdraw" or "cancel", when used with respect to Shares, shall refer, where the
context requires, to an entry or entries or an electronic transfer or transfers
in an account or accounts maintained by institutions authorized under German law
(or the law of another country or of the European Union acceptable to the
Company) to effect transfers of securities and not to the physical transfer of
certificates representing the Shares.
Β
SECTION
1.08
|
Depositary; Corporate
Trust Office.
|
Β
The term
"Depositary" shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., in its capacity as depositary under the
Deposit Agreement, and any successor as depositary hereunder. Β The term
"Corporate Trust Office", when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean
the principal office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its
depositary receipts business shall be administered , which at the date of this
Deposit Agreement is 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
X.X.X.
Β
SECTION
1.09
|
Deposited
Securities.
|
Β
The term
"Deposited Securities" as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited
or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other
securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in
respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the
provisions of Section 4.05.
Β
SECTION
1.10
|
Dollars;
Euro.
|
Β
The term
"Dollars" shall mean United States dollars. Β The term "Euro" shall mean
lawful currency of the member states of the European Union.
Β
SECTION
1.11
|
Foreign
Registrar.
|
Β
The term
"Foreign Registrar" shall mean, if applicable, the entity that presently carries
out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the
Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and
registration of Shares.
Β
Β
3
Β
Β
SECTION
1.12
|
Owner.
|
Β
The term
"Owner" shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books
of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
Β
SECTION
1.13
|
Receipts.
|
Β
The term
"Receipts" shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder
evidencing American Depositary Shares.
Β
SECTION
1.14
|
Registrar.
|
Β
The term
"Registrar" shall mean any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough
of Manhattan, The City of New York, that shall be appointed to register Receipts
and transfers of Receipts as herein provided.
Β
SECTION
1.15
|
Restricted
Securities.
|
Β
The term
"Restricted Securities" shall mean Shares, or Receipts representing such Shares,
which in either case are acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or its
affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 to the Securities Act of 1933) in a
transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering in the
United States, or which are held by an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act of 1933) of the Company, or which would require registration
under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale
thereof in the United States, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale
or deposit under the laws of the United States or the Federal Republic of
Germany, or under a shareholder agreement or the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company.
Β
SECTION
1.16
|
Satzung.
|
Β
The term
"Satzung" shall mean the articles of association of the Company, as in effect at
the relevant time.
Β
SECTION
1.17
|
Securities Act of
1933.
|
Β
The term
"Securities Act of 1933" shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
from time to time amended.
Β
Β
4
Β
Β
SECTION
1.18
|
Shares.
|
Β
The term
"Shares" shall mean bearer shares of the Company, heretofore validly issued and
outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights (or
similar rights, including subscription rights (Bezugsrechte)) of the holders of
outstanding Shares or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid,
nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights (or similar rights, including
subscription rights (Bezugsrechte)) of the holders of outstanding Shares or
interim certificates representing such Shares; provided, however, that, if there
shall occur any change in nominal value, a split-up or consolidation or any
other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section
4.08, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares of the Company, the
term "Shares" shall thereafter also mean the successor securities resulting from
such change in nominal value, split-up or consolidation or such other
reclassification or such exchange or conversion.
Β
ARTICLE
2.
FORM OF
RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES,
EXECUTION
AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER
AND
SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
Β
SECTION
2.01
|
Form and
Transferability of Receipts.
|
Β
Definitive
Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to
this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and
omissions, as hereinafter provided. Β No Receipt shall be entitled to any
benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose,
unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual
signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary; provided, however,
that such signature may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall
have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by the manual signature
of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. Β The Depositary shall
maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter
provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered.
Β Receipts bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized
signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the
Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has
ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts
by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such
Receipts.
Β
The
Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such
legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of
this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary upon consultation
with the Company or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations
thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon
which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with
respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which
any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the
underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
Β
Title to
a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when
properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, shall be
transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable
instrument under the laws of New York; provided, however, that the Depositary,
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the
absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to
distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for
in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary
nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under
this Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the
Owner thereof.
Β
Β
5
Β
Β
SECTION
2.02
|
Deposit of
Shares.
|
Β
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of
rights to receive Shares may be deposited by delivery thereof to any Custodian
hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer,
or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian, together with all such
certifications as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian in
accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary
requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and
deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such
order, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares
representing such deposit. Β
Β
No Share
shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the
Depositary that any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body
in the Federal Republic of Germany which is then performing the function of the
regulation of currency exchange. If required by the Depositary, Shares presented
for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the
Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by an
agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary,
which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or
right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any
person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive
upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement
of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the
Depositary.
Β
At the
request and risk and expense of any person proposing to deposit Shares, and for
the account of such person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares
to be deposited, together with the other instruments herein specified, for the
purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit
hereunder.
Β
Upon each
delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be
deposited hereunder, together with the other documents specified above, such
Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished,
present such certificate or certificates to the Company or the Foreign
Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being
deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its
nominee.
Β
Deposited
Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and
to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the
Depositary shall determine.
Β
Β
6
Β
Β
SECTION
2.03
|
Execution and Delivery
of Receipts.
|
Β
Upon
receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.02 hereunder (and
in addition, if the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if
applicable, are open, the Depositary may in its sole discretion require a proper
acknowledgment or other evidence from the Company that any Deposited Securities
have been recorded upon the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if
applicable, in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or
its nominee), together with the other documents required as specified above,
such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or
persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are
deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to
be evidenced thereby. Β Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the
request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or
facsimile transmission. Β Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, or
upon the receipt of Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver at its
Corporate Trust Office, to or upon the order of the person or persons entitled
thereto, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names and evidencing
any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or
persons, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees and expenses of the
Depositary for the execution and delivery of such Receipt or Receipts as
provided in Section 5.09, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees
payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Deposited
Securities.
Β
SECTION
2.04
|
Transfer of Receipts;
Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
Β
|
Β
The
Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall
register transfers of Receipts on its transfer books from time to time, upon any
surrender of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney,
properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, and duly
stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the
United States of America. Β Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new
Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person
entitled thereto. Β Β The Depositary shall have available at all times a
sufficient supply of Receipts to meet demand for transfers.
Β
The
Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the
purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall
cancel those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a
statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Β The Depositary, upon receipt of
a proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions
through DRS and Profile as provided in Section 2.10) from the Owner of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for
certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated
American Depositary Shares and deliver to the Owner the same number of
certificated American Depositary Shares.
Β
Β
7
Β
Β
The
Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall
upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up
or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or
Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested,
evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the
Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
Β
The
Depositary, with written notice to the Company, may appoint one or more
co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and
split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the
Depositary. Β Such co-transfer agents may be removed by the Depositary with
written notice to the Company and substitutes appointed by the Depositary with
written notice to the Company. Β Each co-transfer agent appointed under this
Section 2.04 shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such
appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit
Agreement. Β In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require
evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements
by Owners or persons entitled to Receipts and will be entitled to protection and
indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
Β
SECTION
2.05
|
Surrender of Receipts
and Withdrawal of Shares.
|
Β
Upon
surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the
purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the
Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in Section 5.09 and payment
of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender
and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of such Receipt shall be
entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited
Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced
by such Receipt, except that the Depositary shall not accept surrender of
Receipts for the purpose of withdrawal to the extent such withdrawal would
require the Depositary to deliver any fraction of a Deposited Security. Delivery
of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of
(a)Β certificates in the name of such Owner or as ordered by him or
certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer
to such Owner or as ordered by him and (b)Β any other securities, property
and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of such Receipts to
such Owner or as ordered by him. Β Such delivery shall be made, as
hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.
Β
A Receipt
surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank, and
if the Depositary so requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to
the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited
Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a
person or persons designated in such order. Β Thereupon the Depositary shall
direct the Custodian to deliver at the office of such Custodian, subject to
Sections 2.06, 3.01 and 3.02 and to the other terms and conditions of this
Deposit Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons
designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the
amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such
person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any
dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented
by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, or of any proceeds
of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held
by the Depositary. Β
Β
Β
8
Β
Β
At the
request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt, and for the
account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any
cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate
or certificates and other proper documents of title for, the Deposited
Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary. Β Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request,
risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile
transmission.
Β
SECTION
2.06
|
Limitations on
Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of
Receipts.
|
Β
As a
condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer,
split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited
Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the
depositor of Shares or the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to
reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or
registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee
with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any
applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof
satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may
also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish
consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without
limitation, this Section 2.06.
Β
The
delivery of Receipts against deposit of Shares generally or against deposit of
particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular
instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding
Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books
of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or
advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time
because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or
commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other
reason, subject to the provisions of the following sentence.
Β Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement, the
surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not
be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer
books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection
with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the
payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S.
or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the
withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Β Without limitation of the
foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this
Deposit Agreement any Shares that would be required to be registered under the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 for the public offer and sale thereof
in the United States, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such
Shares for such offer and sale.
Β
Β
9
Β
Β
The
Depositary will comply with written instructions of the Company not to accept
for deposit under this Deposit Agreement Shares identified in such instructions
and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions
in order to facilitate the Company's compliance with United States securities
laws.
Β
SECTION
2.07
|
Lost Receipts,
etc.
|
Β
In case
any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall
deliver to the Owner the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in
uncertificated form or, if requested by the Owner, execute and deliver a new
Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt
upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed,
lost or stolen Receipt. Β Before the Depositary shall deliver American
Depositary Shares in uncertificated form or execute and deliver a new Receipt in
substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall
have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery
before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona
fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other
reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
Β
SECTION
2.08
|
Cancellation and
Destruction of Surrendered
Receipts.
|
Β
All
Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary.
Β The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so
cancelled.
Β
Β
10
Β
Β
SECTION
2.09
|
Pre-Release of
Receipts.
|
Β
Notwithstanding
Section 2.03 hereof, unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing
so, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of
Shares pursuant to Section 2.02 (a "Pre-Release"). Β The Depositary may,
pursuant to Section 2.05, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of
Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior
to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt
has been Pre-Released. Β The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of
Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Β Each Pre-Release will be (a)
preceded or accompanied by a written representation from the person to whom
Receipts or Shares are to be delivered, that such person, or its customer, (i)
owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all
beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares or Receipts, as the case may
be, to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners,
and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such Shares or Receipts, as
the case may be, that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership
(including, without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or
Receipts, as the case may be, other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release),
(b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the
Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than
five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and
credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. Β The number of
Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding
at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent
(30%) of the Shares deposited hereunder; provided, however, that the Depositary
reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time as it deems
reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Company,
change such limit for purposes of general application. Β The Depositary will
also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered
into hereunder with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the
Depositary deems appropriate. Β For purposes of enabling the Depositary to
fulfill its obligations to the Owners under this Deposit Agreement, the
collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as
security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's obligations to the Depositary
in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee's
obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon termination of a Pre-Release
transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited
Securities hereunder).
Β
The
Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in
connection with the foregoing.
Β
SECTION
2.10
|
Uncertificated
American Depositary Shares; DTC Direct Registration
System.
|
Β
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Deposit Agreement:
Β
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β American
Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or
uncertificated securities. Β The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to
this Deposit Agreement summarizes the terms and conditions of, and will be the
prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for, both certificated and
uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Β Except for those provisions of
this Deposit Agreement that by their nature do not apply to uncertificated
American Depositary Shares, all the provisions of this Deposit Agreement shall
apply, mutatis
mutandis, to both certificated and uncertificated American Depositary
Shares.
Β
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (i)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
term "deliver", or its noun form, when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean
(A) book-entry transfer of American Depositary Shares to an account at The
Depository Trust Company, or its successor ("DTC"), designated by the person
entitled to such delivery, evidencing American Depositary Shares registered in
the name requested by that person, Β (B) registration of American Depositary
Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name
requested by the person entitled to such delivery and Β mailing to that
person of a statement confirming that registration or (C) if requested by the
person entitled to such delivery, delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary to the person entitled to such delivery of one or more
Receipts.
Β
Β
11
Β
Β
(ii)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The term
"surrender", when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean (A) one or more
book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the
Depositary, (B) delivery to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of an
instruction to surrender American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt
Β or (C) surrender to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of one or
more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares.
Β
(c)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β American
Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as
uncertificated registered securities under the laws of New York.
Β
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary shall have a duty to register a transfer, in the case of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares, upon receipt from the Owner of a
proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through
DRS and Profile as provided in subsection (f) below). Β The Depositary, upon
surrender of a Receipt for the purpose of exchanging it for uncertificated
American Depositary Shares, shall cancel that Receipt and send the Owner a
statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares that the surrendered Receipt
evidenced. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for
the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in
subsection (f) below) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary
Shares for the purpose of exchanging them for certificated American Depositary
Shares, shall execute and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same
number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
Β
(e)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
satisfaction of the conditions for replacement of a Receipt that is mutilated,
lost, destroyed or stolen, the Depositary shall deliver to the Owner the
American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in uncertificated form
unless otherwise requested by the Owner.
Β
Β
|
(f)
|
(i)
|
The
parties acknowledge that the Direct Registration System ("DRS") and
Profile Modification System ("Profile") shall apply to uncertificated
American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC.
Β DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the
Depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated American
Depositary Shares, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic
statements issued by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto.
Β Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant,
claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to
direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary
Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary
Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the
Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register such
transfer.
|
Β
(ii)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating
to DRS/Profile, the parties understand that the Depositary will not verify,
determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to
be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and
delivery as described in subsection (i) has the actual authority to act on
behalf of the Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform
Commercial Code of New York). Β For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions
of Sections 5.03 and 5.08 shall apply to the matters arising from the use of the
DRS. Β The parties agree that the Depositary's reliance on and compliance
with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS/Profile System and
in accordance with this Deposit Agreement shall not constitute negligence or bad
faith on the part of the Depositary.
Β
Β
12
Β
Β
ARTICLE
3.
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS AND
BENEFICIAL
OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
Β
SECTION
3.01Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Filing Proofs, Certificates
and Other Information.
Β
Any
person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a
Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the
Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence or exchange control approval to
execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as
the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. Β The Depositary may withhold
the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of
any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the
delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is
filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties
made. Β Upon written request of the Company, the Depositary shall provide
copies of such proofs, certificates or other information to the Company to the
extent permitted under applicable law.
Β
SECTION
3.02Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Liability of Owner or
Beneficial Owner for Taxes.
Β
If any
tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by the Custodian or the
Depositary with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented
by any Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the
Owner or Beneficial Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. Β The
Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of such Receipt or any withdrawal
of Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by
such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other
distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner or Beneficial Owner
thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or
other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or
other governmental charge and the Owner or Beneficial Owner of such Receipt
shall remain liable for any deficiency.
Β
Β
13
Β
Β
SECTION
3.03Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Warranties on Deposit of
Shares.
Every
person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to
represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly
issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights (or similar
rights, including subscription rights (Bezugsrechte)) of the holders of
outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so
to do. Β Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the
deposit of such Shares are not, and the sale of Receipts evidencing American
Depositary Shares representing such Shares by that person are not restricted
under the Securities Act of 1933. Β Such representations and warranties
shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts.
Β
SECTION
3.04Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Disclosure of
Interest.
Β
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Beneficial Owner
agrees to be bound by and subject to the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company (to the same extent as if the American Depositary
Shares evidenced by a Receipt were the Shares represented by such American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt) and to provide such information to
the Company relating to ownership of the Shares as may be required thereunder.
Β Under German law, as in effect on the date hereof, a person who acquires
shares in a company resulting in the total interest in the voting share capital
held by such person exceeding, reaching or falling below certain thresholds,
must notify such company within four trading days from the time when it has or
should have knowledge of the completion of the acquisition; these thresholds are
3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50%, and 75% of the total voting share capital
of such company. Β This provision has to be observed not only with regard to
Shares directly held but to the same extent for American Depositary Shares
representing such Shares. Β Each Owner or Beneficial Owner agrees regarding
Shares or American Depositary Shares acquired by it to provide the required
information within the prescribed time period and in the prescribed manner to
the Company in writing, to the extent that such information is available to it
and is permitted to be disclosed under applicable law. Β If the Company
requests information from the Depositary or the Custodian, as the registered
owners of Shares, pursuant to German law or the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company, the obligations of the Depositary or the Custodian
as the case may be, shall be limited to disclosing to the Company such
information relating to the Shares in question as has in each case been recorded
by it pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and which is permitted to
be disclosed under applicable law.
Β
Β
14
Β
Β
ARTICLE
4.
THE
DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Β
SECTION
4.01
|
Cash
Distributions.
|
Β
Whenever
the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any
Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section
4.05, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall distribute,
as promptly as practicable, the amount thus received (net of the fees and
expenses of the Depositary as provided in SectionΒ 5.09) to the Owners
entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares
representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided,
however, that in the event that the Company or the Depositary shall be required
to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash
distribution an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owner
of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Β The Depositary shall
distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing
to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Β Any such fractional amounts shall be
rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto.
Β The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency
in the Federal Republic of Germany all amounts withheld and owing to such
agency. Β The Depositary will forward to the Company or its agent such
information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the
Company or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, and
the Depositary or the Company or its agent may file any such reports necessary
to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Owners of
Receipts.
Β
SECTION
4.02
|
Distributions Other
Than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Β
|
Β
Subject
to the provisions of SectionsΒ 4.11 and 5.09, whenever the Depositary shall
receive any distribution other than a distribution described in
SectionΒ 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, the Depositary shall, as promptly as
practicable, cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed
to the Owners entitled thereto, after deduction or upon payment of any fees and
expenses of the Depositary or any taxes or other governmental charges, in
proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the
Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such
distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such
distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto,
or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that
the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other
governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Beneficial
Owners) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the
Depositary, after consultation with the Company, may adopt such method as it may
deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution,
including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or
property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such
sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in
SectionΒ 5.09) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled
thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section
4.01; provided, further, that no such distribution to Owners pursuant to this
Section 4.02 shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the Depositary or
any of its agents. Β To the extent that such securities or property or the
net proceeds thereof are not effectively distributed to Owners as provided in
this Section 4.02, the same shall represent Deposited Securities and each
American Depositary Share shall therefore also represent its proportionate
interest in such securities, property or net proceeds.
Β
Β
15
Β
Β
SECTION
4.03
|
Distributions in
Shares.
|
Β
If any
distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free
distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may distribute, as promptly as
practicable, to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in
proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing
an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of
Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and
the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the
withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in
SectionΒ 4.11 and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as
provided in Section 5.09; provided, however, that no such distribution to Owners
pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the
Depositary or any of its agents. Β The Depositary may withhold any such
distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the
Company that such distribution does not require registration under the
Securities Act of 1933. Β In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional
American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the
amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute
the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in
Section 4.01. Β If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American
Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares
distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
Β
SECTION
4.04
|
Rights.
|
Β
In the
event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any
Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights
of any other nature, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall
have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights
available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners
and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such
rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such
rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net
proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to
lapse. Β If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary
determines in its discretion that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights
available to all or certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may
distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and
feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such
Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems
appropriate.
Β
In
circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of
Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to
exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner
hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon
written notice from the Company to the Depositary that (a) the Company has
elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b)
such Owner has executed such documents as the Company has determined in its sole
discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
Β
Β
16
Β
Β
If the
Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or
certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such
warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such
rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such
Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon
the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees and expenses of the
Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other
instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights
and purchase the Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to
be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. Β As agent for such
Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited
pursuant to SectionΒ 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to
SectionΒ 2.03 of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to
such Owner. Β In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph
of this section, depositary arrangements shall be made providing for the
issuance of Receipts legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and
subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation and
transfer under applicable U.S. laws.
Β
If the
Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to
make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights,
warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary
Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or
feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales
(net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 and
all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and
subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account
of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments,
upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions
among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of
any Receipt or otherwise. Β Such proceeds shall be distributed in accordance
with Section 4.01.
Β
Except as
otherwise provided in the second paragraph of this Section 4.04, the Depositary
will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to
which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to all Owners or are
registered under the provisions of such Act; provided, that nothing in this
Deposit Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of the Company to file
a registration statement with respect to such rights or underlying securities or
to endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective. Β If
an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments,
notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has
received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Company
upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is
exempt from such registration.
Β
Β
17
Β
Β
The
Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be
lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any
Owner in particular.
Β
SECTION
4.05
|
Conversion of Foreign
Currency.
|
Β
Whenever
the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive foreign currency, by way of
dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of
securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the
foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted
on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the
United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or
in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars,
and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the
Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which
entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such
warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Β Such
distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without
regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the
date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of
conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in
SectionΒ 5.09.
Β
If such
conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of
any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for
approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
Β
If at any
time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency
received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable
basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or
license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion
is denied or in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or
if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as
determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency
(or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign
currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such
foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the
respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
Β
If any
such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for
distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its
discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent
permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the
foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested
and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the
Owners entitled thereto.
Β
Β
18
Β
Β
SECTION
4.06Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Fixing of Record
Date.
Β
Whenever
any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any
distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued
with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall
receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited
Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the
number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or
whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary
shall fix a record date which, if practicable, shall be the record date, if any,
established by the Company or applicable under German law as the Company may
advise the Depositary from time to time for such purposes or, if different, as
close thereto as practicable (a)Β for the determination of the Owners who
shall be (i)Β entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or
the net proceeds of the sale thereof, (ii)Β entitled to give instructions
for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (iii) responsible for
any fee Β or charges assessed by the Depositary pursuant to this Deposit
Agreement, or (b)Β on or after which each American Depositary Share will
represent the changed number of Shares. Β Subject to the provisions of
SectionsΒ 4.01 through 4.05 and to the other terms and conditions of this
Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled, as the case
may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to
such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale
thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them
respectively and to give voting instructions and to act in respect of any other
such matter.
Β
SECTION
4.07Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Voting of Deposited
Securities. Β
Β
Upon
receipt of notice from the Company of any meeting of, or solicitation of proxies
or consents from, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the
Depositary shall, if requested in writing by the Company, as soon as practicable
thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice (the "Notice"), the form of which shall
be in the sole discretion of the Depositary but which shall
contain:
Β
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β such
information as is contained in the notice of meeting or solicitation sent by the
Company to the Depositary;
Β
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement that each Owner as of the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.06
of this Deposit Agreement will be entitled, subject to applicable provisions of
law, including any laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Satzung
(Articles of Association) of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or
other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary
Shares;
Β
(c)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement as to the manner in which instructions with respect to voting may be
given;
Β
Β
19
Β
Β
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement that, if no voting instructions are received on or before the date
established by the Depositary for such purpose (the "Instruction Date"), an
Owner shall be deemed to have instructed the Depositary to give a proxy to the
Custodian to vote such Shares or other Deposited Securities in accordance with
the Recommendation (as defined below) as provided under Section 135 of the Stock
Corporation Act of Germany (the "Stock Corporation Act") (as discussed below);
and
Β
(e)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
copy of the Recommendation (as defined below) prepared by such Custodian in
accordance with Section 128(2) of the Stock Corporation Act, together with an
English translation thereof.
Β
The
Company has advised that at the date of this Deposit Agreement, Section 128(2)
of the Stock Corporation Act requires a Vorschlag (a
"Recommendation") be issued in respect of meeting agenda items under certain
circumstances by certain German banks that may exercise voting rights on behalf
of shareholders. Β The Company has further advised that Section 135 of the
Stock Corporation Act provides that if voting instructions are not received by
such German banks as to such shares, such shares may, in certain circumstances,
be voted in accordance with the Recommendation issued under Section 128(2) of
the Stock Corporation Act.
Β
Upon the
written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the
Instruction Date, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable to vote
or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares in accordance with the
instructions received from Owners of such American Depositary
Shares.
Β
The
Depositary shall not, and shall ensure that its Custodian does not, vote or
attempt to exercise the right to vote or exercise any voting discretion over the
Shares or other Deposited Securities, other than in accordance with such
instructions received from Owners (or deemed to have been received as set forth
in (d) above and in the next paragraph).
Β
Subject
to the following paragraph, if no specific voting instructions are received by
the Depositary from any Owner (to whom Notice was sent at the Company's request)
with respect to the Shares or Deposited Securities represented by such Owner's
American Depositary Shares on or before the Instruction Date, such Owner shall
be deemed, and the Depositary shall deem such Owner, to have instructed the
Depositary to give a proxy to the Custodian with respect to such Shares or other
Deposited Securities to vote such Shares or other Deposited Securities in
accordance with the Recommendation.
Β
The
Depositary shall request that the Custodian deliver its Recommendation to the
Depositary no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the Company has
published proposed resolutions with respect to the relevant meeting in the
Federal Gazette. Β However, anything in this Deposit Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Depositary shall not receive the
Recommendation at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to any meeting of
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall mail the
Notice, without such Recommendation (and without reference to any deemed proxy
to be given to the Custodian), and thereafter, in any case in which no specific
voting instructions are received by the Depositary from an Owner on or before
the Instruction Date, no votes shall be cast at such meeting with respect to
such Shares or Deposited Securities.
Β
Β
20
Β
Β
Subject
to Section 5.03 of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be
responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the
Deposited Securities, for any failure to timely receive a Recommendation, for
the manner in which any such vote is cast, or for the effect of any such vote,
including, without limitation, any deemed proxy or proxy in connection with a
Recommendation or any failure to vote in accordance with a
Recommendation.
Β
There can
be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive
the notice described in the preceding paragraphs sufficiently prior to the
Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited
Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding
paragraphs.
Β
In the
event that, on any meeting date, the number of Deposited Securities on deposit
under this Deposit Agreement is less than the number of Deposited Securities
with respect to which the Depositary has received voting instructions, the
Depositary shall vote or caused to be voted such Deposited Securities in
accordance with such instructions, adjusting the number of Deposited Securities
voted on a pro-rated basis.
Β
SECTION
4.08
|
Changes Affecting
Deposited Securities.
|
Β
In
circumstances where the provisions of SectionΒ 4.03 do not apply, upon any
change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation or any
other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization,
reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company
or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the
Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of
Deposited Securities, shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this
Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent,
in addition to the existing Deposited Securities, the right to receive the new
Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional
Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. Β In any such
case the Depositary may, and shall if the Company shall reasonably request,
execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend in Shares,
or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new
Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities.
Β
SECTION
4.09
|
Reports.
|
Β
The
Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust
Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material,
received from the Company that are both (a)Β received by the Depositary as
the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b)Β made generally available to
the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. Β The Depositary
shall also send to the Owners copies of such reports when furnished by the
Company pursuant to SectionΒ 5.06. Β Any such reports and
communications, including any such proxy soliciting material, furnished to the
Depositary by the Company shall be furnished in English, to the extent such
materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any regulations
of the Commission.
Β
Β
21
Β
Β
SECTION
4.10Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Lists of
Owners.
Β
Promptly
upon request by the Company, the Depositary shall, at the expense of the
Company, furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and
holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts
are registered on the books of the Depositary.
Β
SECTION
4.11Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Withholding.
Β
In the
event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property
(including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or
other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the
Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such
property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and
in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such
taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any
such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners entitled
thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them
respectively. Β The Depositary shall use reasonable efforts to make and
maintain arrangements enabling Owners who are citizens or residents of the
United States to receive any tax credits or other benefits (pursuant to treaty
or otherwise) relating to dividend payments on the American Depositary
Shares.
Β
ARTICLE
5.
THE
DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS
AND THE
COMPANY
Β
SECTION
5.01
|
Maintenance of Office
and Transfer Books by the
Depositary.
|
Β
Until
termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the
Depositary shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of
transfers and surrender of Receipts in accordance with the provisions of this
Deposit Agreement.
Β
The
Depositary shall maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited
Securities withdrawn under Section 2.05 hereof, substitute Receipts delivered
under Section 2.07 hereof and Receipts cancelled or destroyed under Section 2.08
hereof in accordance with procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer
agents located in The City of New York.
Β
The
Depositary shall keep books, at its Corporate Trust Office, for the registration
of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be
open for inspection by the Owners and the Company, provided that such inspection
shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a
business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to
this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
Β
Β
22
Β
Β
The
Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time, when
deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties
hereunder.
Β
If any
Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one
or more stock exchanges in the United States, the Depositary shall act as
Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of
such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or
exchanges.
Β
SECTION
5.02
|
Prevention or Delay in
Performance by the Depositary or the
Company.
|
Β
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors,
supervisory or management board members, employees, agents or affiliates shall
incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt, (i) if by
reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United
States or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or
stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company, or by reason of any provision of any securities
issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof,
or by reason of any act of God or war or terrorism or other circumstances beyond
its control, the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented, delayed or
forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of,
doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit
Agreement or Deposited Securities it is provided shall be done or performed,
(ii) by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the
performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it
is provided shall or may be done or performed, (iii) by reason of any exercise
of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit
Agreement, (iv) for the inability of any Owner or holder to benefit from any
distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to
holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Owners or holders, or (v) for any special,
consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit
Agreement. Β Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.01, 4.02, or 4.03 of this Deposit Agreement, or an offering or
distribution pursuant to SectionΒ 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement, or for any
other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners,
and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of
such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the
Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any
rights, if applicable, to lapse. Β
Β
Β
23
Β
Β
SECTION
5.03Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Obligations of the
Depositary and the Company. Β
Β
The
Company assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under
this Deposit Agreement to Owners or Beneficial Owners, except that it agrees to
perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without
negligence or bad faith.
Β
The
Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under
this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Beneficial Owner (including, without
limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited
Securities), except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set
forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Β
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in,
prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any
Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts on behalf of any Owner or
Beneficial Owner.
Β
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or non-action by
it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel,
accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner, Beneficial
Owner or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give
such advice or information.
Β
The
Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor
depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the
Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or
resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of
which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations
without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
Β
The
Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any
instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for any failure to timely
receive a Recommendation, for the manner in which any such vote is cast, or for
the effect of any such vote, including, without limitation, any deemed proxy or
proxy in connection with a Recommendation or any failure to vote in accordance
with a Recommendation, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good
faith.
Β
No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any
provision of this Deposit Agreement.
Β
SECTION
5.04
|
Resignation and
Removal of the Depositary.
|
Β
The
Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of
its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect
upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such
appointment as hereinafter provided.
Β
The
Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by 90 days prior written
notice of such removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th
after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a
successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter
provided.
Β
Β
24
Β
Β
In case
at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the
Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which
shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York. Β Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver
to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its
appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any
further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers,
duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such predecessor, nevertheless,
upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company shall
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and
powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver
all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and
shall deliver to such successor a list of the Owners of all outstanding
Receipts. Β Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its
appointment to the Owners.
Β
Any
corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated
shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any
document or any further act.
Β
SECTION
5.05
|
The
Custodians.
|
Β
The
Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of
the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. Β Any Custodian may
resign and be discharged from its duties hereunder by notice of such resignation
delivered to the Depositary at least 30Β days prior to the date on which
such resignation is to become effective. Β If upon the effectiveness of such
resignation there would be no Custodian acting hereunder, the Depositary shall,
as promptly as practicable after receiving such notice, notify the Company and
appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be
a Custodian hereunder. Β Whenever the Depositary in its discretion
determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners to do so, it may, upon
consultation with the Company, appoint a substitute or additional custodian or
custodians, each of which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians hereunder.
Β Upon demand of the Depositary any Custodian shall deliver such of the
Deposited Securities held by it as are requested of it to any other Custodian or
such substitute or additional custodian or custodians. Β Each such
substitute or additional custodian shall deliver to the Depositary, forthwith
upon its appointment, an acceptance of such appointment satisfactory in form and
substance to the Depositary.
Β
Upon the
appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, each Custodian then acting
hereunder shall forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent
hereunder of such successor depositary and the appointment of such successor
depositary shall in no way impair the authority of each Custodian hereunder; but
the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written
request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such
instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power
and authority as agent hereunder of such successor depositary.
Β
Β
25
Β
Β
SECTION
5.06
|
Notices and
Reports.
|
Β
On or
before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or
otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or
of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action in
respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights, the
Company agrees to transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the
notice thereof in English but otherwise in the form given or to be given to
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities.
Β
The
Company will arrange for the translation into English, if not already in
English, to the extent required pursuant to any regulations of the Commission,
and the prompt transmittal by the Company to the Depositary and the Custodian of
such notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally
available by the Company to holders of its Shares. Β If requested in writing
by the Company, the Depositary will arrange for the mailing, at the Company's
expense, of copies of such notices, reports and communications to all Owners.
Β The Company will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such
notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time
to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings.
Β
The
Company represents that as of the date of this Deposit Agreement, the statements
in Article 11 of the Receipt with respect to the exemption from registration
under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, are true and correct. Β The Company agrees to promptly notify the
Depositary and all Owners in the event of any change in the truth of any such
statements.
Β
SECTION
5.07Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Distribution of Additional
Shares, Rights, etc. Β
Β
The
Company agrees that in the event of any issuance or distribution of
(1)Β additional Shares, (2)Β rights to subscribe for Shares,
(3)Β securities convertible into Shares or exchangeable for Shares, or
(4)Β rights to subscribe for such securities (each a "Distribution"), the
Company will, as promptly practicable, notify the Depositary, and upon the
Depositary's reasonable request, furnish to the Depositary a written opinion
from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the
Depositary, stating whether or not the Distribution requires a registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to be in effect prior to making such
Distribution available to Owners entitled thereto. Β If in the opinion of
such counsel a registration statement is required, such counsel or the Company
shall furnish to the Depositary satisfactory assurances as to whether or not
there is a Registration Statement in effect that will cover such
Distribution.
Β
Β
26
Β
Β
The
Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company nor any company
controlled by the Company will at any time deposit any Shares, either originally
issued or previously issued and reacquired by the Company or any such affiliate,
unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares under the
Securities Act of 1933.
Β
SECTION
5.08Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Indemnification.
Β
The
Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and
affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any
liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel) that may arise out of any registration with the Commission
of Receipts, American Depositary Shares or Deposited Securities or the offer or
sale thereof in the United States or out of acts performed or omitted, in
accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts, as
the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i)Β by
either the Depositary or a Custodian or their respective directors, employees,
agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the
negligence or bad faith of either of them, or (ii)Β by the Company or any of
its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
Β
Β The
indemnities contained in the preceding paragraph shall not extend to any
liability or expense which may arise out of any "Pre-Release Transaction".
Β For purposes of this provision, the term "Pre-Release Transaction" means
any transaction entered into by the Depositary (other than any such transaction
to which the Company is a party) to implement or carry out any one or more
Pre-Releases (including without limitation any transaction pursuant to Section
2.09), but does not include the execution and delivery, transfer, exchange, or
surrender and cancellation of any Pre-Released Receipts or any other act
performed or omitted in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement
or the Receipts. Β In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, it is understood
that the first sentence of this paragraph shall not apply to any liability or
expense which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or
omission or alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement,
prospectus (or placement memorandum) or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary
placement memorandum) of the Company relating to the offer or sale of American
Depositary Shares, except to the extent any such liability or expense arises out
of (i) information relating to the Depositary or any Custodian (other than the
Company), as applicable, furnished in writing and not materially changed or
altered by the Company expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents, or,
(ii) if such information is provided, the failure to state a material fact
necessary to make the information provided not misleading.
Β
The
Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its directors, supervisory or
management board members, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold
each of them harmless from any liability or expense which may arise out of acts
performed or omitted by the Depositary or its Custodian or their respective
directors, employees, agents and affiliates due to their negligence or bad
faith.
Β
Β
27
Β
Β
If an
action or proceeding (including, but not limited to, any governmental
investigation, claim or dispute) in respect of which indemnity may be sought by
either party is brought or asserted against the other party, the party seeking
indemnification (the "Indemnitee") shall promptly notify the other party (the
"Indemnitor") in writing of such proceeding giving reasonable details thereof.
Β The Indemnitor shall be entitled to participate in such proceeding and, to
the extent no conflict of interest exists in the conduct of the defense, to
assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnitee. Β After notice from the Indemnitor to the Indemnitee of its
election to assume the defense, and provided no conflict of interest exists, the
Indemnitor shall not be liable to the Indemnitee for any legal expenses of other
counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by the
Indemnitee, in connection with the defense other than reasonable costs of
investigation. Β No compromise or settlement of such action or proceeding
may be effected by either party without the other party's consent (which shall
not be unreasonably withheld) unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any
violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such
other party and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid
in full by the party seeking such compromise or settlement and (iii) such
compromise or settlement includes an unconditional release of the Company and
any other Indemnitee from all liability on any claims that are or could arise
from the subject matter of such action or proceeding.
Β
No Owner
or Beneficial Owner shall have any rights under this Section 5.08.
Β
SECTION
5.09Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Charges of
Depositary.
Β
The
Company agrees to pay the fees, reasonable expenses and out-of-pocket charges of
the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in
writing entered into between the Depositary and the Company from time to time.
Β The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses
to the Company once every three months or at such other interval as the Company
and the Depositary may agree in writing. Β The charges and expenses of the
Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
Β
The
following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing
Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts or to whom Receipts are issued
(including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock
split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or
Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.03), or by Owners, as applicable: Β (1)Β taxes and other
governmental charges, (2)Β such registration fees as may from time to time
be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share
register of the Company or Foreign Registrar, if applicable, and applicable to
transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the
Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder,
(3)Β such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly
provided in this Deposit Agreement, (4)Β such expenses as are incurred by
the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.05, (5)Β a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary
Shares (or portion thereof) for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant
to SectionΒ 2.03, 4.03 or 4.04 and the surrender of Receipts pursuant to
SectionΒ 2.05 or 6.02, (6)Β a fee of $.02 or less per American
Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to
this Deposit Agreement, including, but not limited to Sections 4.01 through 4.04
hereof, (7)Β a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.02, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the
execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which
would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities (for
purposes of this clauseΒ 7 treating all such securities as if they were
Shares) but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to
Owners, (8) a fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion
thereof) for depositary services, which will accrue on the last day of each
calendar year and which will be payable as provided in clause (9) below;
provided, however, that no fee will be assessed under this clause (8) to the
extent a fee of Β $.02 was charged pursuant to clause (6) above during that
calendar year and (9)Β any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of
the Depositary's agents, including the Custodian, or the agents of the
Depositary's agents in connection with the servicing of Shares or other
Deposited Securities (which charge shall be assessed against Owners as of the
date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.06 and shall be
collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for
such charge or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other
cash distributions).
Β
Β
28
Β
Β
The
Depositary, subject to SectionΒ 2.09 hereof, may own and deal in any class
of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts.
Β
SECTION
5.10Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Retention of Depositary
Documents.
Β
The
Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other
data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted
by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary unless the Company requests
that such papers be retained for a longer period or turned over to the Company
or to a successor depositary.
Β
SECTION
5.11Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Exclusivity.
Β
Β
The
Company agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of American
Depositary Receipts so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as
Depositary hereunder.
Β
SECTION
5.12Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β List of Restricted
Securities Owners. Β
Β
The
Company shall provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual
knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own
Restricted Securities as of the date hereof and the Company shall update that
list as changes occur. Β The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the
persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities, so long as they
remain as such, are ineligible for deposit hereunder. Β The Depositary may
rely on the list provided under this Section 5.12 as most recently updated but
shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance
thereon.
Β
Β
29
Β
Β
ARTICLE
6.
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
Β
SECTION
6.01Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Amendment.
Β
The form
of the Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and
from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary
without the consent of Owners or Beneficial Owners of Receipts in any respect
which they may deem necessary or desirable. Β Any amendment which shall
impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental
charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs,
delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any
substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to
outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty (30) days after notice of
such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts.
Β Every Owner and Beneficial Owner, at the time any amendment so becomes
effective, shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt or any interest
therein, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by this Deposit
Agreement as amended thereby. Β In no event shall any amendment impair the
right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor
the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with
mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Β
SECTION
6.02Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Termination.
Β
The
Depositary shall, at any time at the direction of the Company, terminate this
Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all
Receipts then outstanding at least ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed in
such notice for such termination. Β The Depositary may likewise terminate
this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Company and
the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding, if at any time ninety (90) days
have passed since the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written
notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been
appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in SectionΒ 5.04.
Β On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon
(a)Β surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary, (b)Β payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of
Receipts referred to in SectionsΒ 2.05 or 5.09, and (c)Β payment of any
applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or
upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the
American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. Β If any Receipts
shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary
thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall
suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give
any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement,
except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other
distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights and other
property as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver
Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions
received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or
other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after
deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a
Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable
taxes or governmental charges). Β At any time after the expiration of six
months from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited
Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net
proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it
hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata
benefit of the Owners of Receipts that have not theretofore been surrendered,
such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect
to such net proceeds. Β After making such sale, the Depositary shall be
discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except to account
for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of
the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of
the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges) and except
for its obligations to the Company under Section 5.08 hereof. Β Upon the
termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all
obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the
Depositary under SectionsΒ 5.08 and 5.09 hereof.
Β
Β
30
Β
Β
ARTICLE
7.
MISCELLANEOUS
Β
SECTION
7.01Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Counterparts.
Β
This
Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts shall constitute one
and the same instrument. Β Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be filed
with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any
Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt during business hours.
Β
SECTION
7.02Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β No Third Party
Beneficiaries. Β
Β
This
Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall
not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever
to any other person.
Β
SECTION
7.03Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Severability.
Β
In case
any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the
Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed
thereby.
Β
Β
31
Β
Β
SECTION
7.04Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Owners and Beneficial Owners
as Parties; Binding Effect. Β
Β
The
Owners and Beneficial Owners of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to
this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions
hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance thereof or any interest
therein.
Β
SECTION
7.05Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notices.
Β
Any and
all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given
if personally delivered or sent by mail, cable, telex, facsimile or electronic
transmission, addressed to adidas AG, World of Sports, Xxx-Xxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx 0,
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Β X-00000, Xxxxxxx, Attention: Investor Relations, and
adidas North America, Inc., 0000 X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, Attention: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx or any other place to which the Company may have transferred its
principal office with notice to the Depositary.
Β
Β
Any and
all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly
given if in English and personally delivered or sent by mail, cable, telex,
facsimile or electronic transmission, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, XXX
Attention:Β Β ADR Department,
telephone:Β Β (000)Β 000Β 000-0000,
facsimile:Β Β (000)Β 000Β 000Β 0000 or to any other address
which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.
Β
Any and
all notices to be given to any Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given if
personally delivered or sent by mail, cable, telex, facsimile or electronic
transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to such Owner at the address of such
Owner as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if
such Owner shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices
intended for such Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address
designated in such request.
Β
SECTION
7.06
|
Submission to
Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service of
Process.
|
Β
The
Company hereby (i)Β irrevocably designates and appoints Xxxx Xxxxxxx, adidas
North America, Inc., 0000 X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, as the Company's
authorized agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding
arising out of or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American
Depositary Shares, the Receipts or this Deposit Agreement, (ii) consents and
submits to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New
York in which any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agrees
that service of process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every
respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or
proceeding. Β The Company agrees to deliver, upon the execution and delivery
of this Deposit Agreement, a written acceptance by such agent of its appointment
as such agent. Β The Company further agrees to take any and all action,
including the filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be
necessary to continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect
for so long as any American Depositary Shares or Receipts remain outstanding or
this Deposit Agreement remains in force. Β In the event the Company fails to
continue such designation and appointment in full force and effect, the Company
hereby waives personal service of process upon it and consents that any such
service of process may be made by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, directed to the Company at its address last specified for notices
hereunder, and service so made shall be deemed completed five (5) days after the
same shall have been so mailed.
Β
Β
32
Β
Β
SECTION
7.07Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Governing
Law.
Β
This
Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted and all rights hereunder
and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws
of the State of New York, except with respect to its authorization and execution
by the Company, which shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of
Germany. Β The parties hereto acknowledge that rights relating to the Shares
are governed by German law and that Owners and Beneficial Owners may not be
considered shareholders of the Company.
Β
SECTION
7.08Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Compliance with U.S.
Securities Laws.
Β
Notwithstanding
anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Company and the
Depositary each agrees that it shall not exercise any rights it has under this
Deposit Agreement to permit the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities
in a manner which would violate the U.S. securities laws, including, but not
limited to, Section I.A. (1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6
Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act
of 1933.
Β
Β
33
Β
Β
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, ADIDAS AG and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly
executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and
all Owners and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by
them of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof or any interest
therein.
Β
Β
ADIDAS
AG
Β
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
Β
Β
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
Β
DEUTSCHE
BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Depositary
Β
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
Β
Β
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
Β
Β
34
Β
Β
EXHIBIT
A
Β
Β
Β |
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES (Each American Depositary Share represents one-half of
one (1/2) deposited Share)
|
Β
Β
DEUTSCHE
BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
BEARER SHARES
WITHOUT
PAR VALUE OF
ADIDAS
AG
(INCORPORATED
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY)
Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies
that___________ ____________________________________________, or registered
assigns IS THE OWNER OF _____________________________ AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited bearer shares ("Shares") of adidas AG, incorporated under
the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany (the "Company"). Β At the date
hereof, each American Depositary Share represents one-half of one (1/2) Share
deposited or subject to deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as such term is
hereinafter defined) at the Eschborn, Germany office of Deutsche Bank AG (the
"Custodian"). Β
Β
Β
THE
DEPOSITARY'S CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE ADDRESS IS
00 XXXX
XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, XXX XXXX, X.X.X.
Β
Β
A-1
Β
Β
1.
|
THE
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
|
Β
This
American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue ("Receipts"), all issued and to
be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Amended and
Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of JanuaryΒ Β , 2010, as the same
may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the "Deposit
Agreement"), among the Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Beneficial
Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by
accepting a Receipt or any interest therein agrees to become a party thereto and
become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. Β The Deposit
Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Beneficial Owners of the Receipts
and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited
thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time
received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities,
property, and cash, the "Deposited Securities"). Β Copies of the Deposit
Agreement are on file at the Depositary's Corporate Trust Office in the City of
New York and at the office of the Custodian.
Β
The
statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain
provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the
detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made.
Β Capitalized terms defined in the Deposit Agreement and not defined herein
shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
Β
2.
|
SURRENDER
OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF
SHARES.
|
Β
Upon
surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of this Receipt, and
upon payment of the fee of the Depositary provided in this Receipt, and subject
to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner hereof is
entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the Deposited Securities at
the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt is
issued, except that the Depositary shall not accept surrender of Receipts for
the purpose of withdrawal to the extent such withdrawal would require the
Depositary to deliver any fraction of a Deposited Security. Β Delivery of
such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the
name of the Owner hereof or as ordered by him or certificates properly endorsed
or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and (b) any other securities,
property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of this
Receipt. Β Such delivery will be made at the option of the Owner hereof,
either at the office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary, provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other
Deposited Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof.
Β
Β
A-2
Β
Β
3.
|
TRANSFERS,
SPLIT-UPS, AND COMBINATIONS OF
RECEIPTS.
|
Β
The
transfer of this Receipt is registrable on the books of the Depositary at its
Corporate Trust Office by the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized
attorney, upon surrender of this Receipt properly endorsed for transfer or
accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and funds sufficient to pay any
applicable transfer taxes and the expenses of the Depositary and upon compliance
with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish for such purpose.
Β This Receipt may be split into other such Receipts, or may be combined
with other such Receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number
of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. Β The
Depositary, upon surrender of certificated American Depositary Shares for the
purpose of exchanging for uncertificated American Depositary Shares, shall
cancel those certificated American Depositary Shares and send the Owner a
statement confirming that the Owner is the Owner of uncertificated American
Depositary Shares. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction
(including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as
provided in Section 2.10 of the Deposit Agreement) from the Owner of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares for the purpose of exchanging for
certificated American Depositary Shares, shall cancel those uncertificated
American Depositary Shares and deliver to the Owner the same number of
certificated American Depositary Shares. Β As a condition precedent to the
execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or
surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the
Depositary, the Custodian, or Registrar may require payment from the depositor
of the Shares or the presentor of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse
it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or
registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee
with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any
applicable fees as provided in this Receipt, may require the production of proof
satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may
also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish
consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt,
including, without limitation, this Article 3.
Β
The
delivery of Receipts against deposit of Shares generally or against deposit of
particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular
instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding
Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books
of the Depositary are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or
advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time
because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or
commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or
for any other reason, subject to the provisions of the following sentence.
Β Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement or this
Receipt, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited
Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by
closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of
Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of
dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii)
compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to
the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Β Without
limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for
deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares that would be required to be
registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 for the public
offer and sale thereof in the United States, unless a registration statement is
in effect as to such Shares for such offer and sale.
Β
The
Depositary will comply with written instructions of the Company not to accept
for deposit under the Deposit Agreement Shares identified in such instructions
and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions
in order to facilitate the Company's compliance with United States securities
laws.
Β
Β
A-3
Β
Β
4.
|
LIABILITY
OF OWNER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER FOR
TAXES.
|
Β
If any
tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any
Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented hereby, such tax or other
governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Beneficial Owner hereof to
the Depositary. Β The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of this
Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may
withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of
the Owner or Beneficial Owner hereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, and may
apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in
payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner or Beneficial
Owner hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
Β
5.
|
WARRANTIES
ON DEPOSIT OF SHARES.
|
Β
Every
person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to
represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly
issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free of any pre-emptive rights of the
holders (or similar rights, including subscription rights (Bezugsrechte)) of
outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so
to do. Β Every such person shall also be deemed to represent that the
deposit of such Shares are not, and the sale of Receipts evidencing American
Depositary Shares representing such Shares by that person are not restricted
under the Securities Act of 1933. Β Such representations and warranties
shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts.
Β
6.
|
FILING
PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER
INFORMATION.
|
Β
Any
person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a
Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the
Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence or exchange control approval to
execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as
the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. Β The Depositary may withhold
the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of
any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the
delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is
filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties
made. Β No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by
evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any necessary approval has been
granted by any governmental body in the Federal Republic of Germany that is then
performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange.
Β
7.
|
CHARGES
OF DEPOSITARY.
|
Β
The
Company agrees to pay the fees, reasonable expenses and out-of-pocket charges of
the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in
writing entered into between the Depositary and the Company from time to time.
Β The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses
to the Company once every three months or at such other interval as the Company
and the Depositary may agree in writing. Β The charges and expenses of the
Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
Β
Β
A-4
Β
Β
The
following charges shall be incurred by any party depositing or withdrawing
Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts or to whom Receipts are issued
(including, without limitation, issuance pursuant to a stock dividend or stock
split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the Receipts or
Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts pursuant to SectionΒ 4.03
of the Deposit Agreement), or by Owners, as applicable: (1)Β taxes and other
governmental charges, (2)Β such registration fees as may from time to time
be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share
register of the Company or Foreign Registrar, if applicable, and applicable to
transfers of Shares to or from the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the
Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals under the
terms of the Deposit Agreement, (3)Β such cable, telex and facsimile
transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement,
(4)Β such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of
foreign currency pursuant to SectionΒ 4.05 of the Deposit Agreement,
(5)Β a fee of $5.00 or less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion
thereof) for the execution and delivery of Receipts pursuant to
SectionΒ 2.03, 4.03 or 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement and the surrender of
Receipts pursuant to SectionΒ 2.05 or 6.02 of the Deposit Agreement, (6) a
fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share (or portion thereof) for any
cash distribution made pursuant to Sections 4.01 through 4.04 of the Deposit
Agreement, (7) a fee for the distribution of securities pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.02 of the Deposit Agreement, such fee being in an amount equal to
the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to
above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such
securities (for purposes of this clauseΒ 7 treating all such securities as
if they were Shares), but which securities are instead distributed by the
Depositary to Owners, (8) a fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share
(or portion thereof)for depositary services, which will accrue on the last day
of each calendar year and which will be payable as provided in clause (9) below;
provided, however, that no fee will be assessed under this clause (8) to the
extent a fee of Β $.02 was charged pursuant to clause (6) above during that
calendar year and (9)Β any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of
the Depositary's agents, including the Custodian, or the agents of the
Depositary's agents in connection with the servicing of Shares or other
Deposited Securities (which charge shall be assessed against Owners as of the
date or dates set by the Depositary in accordance with Section 4.06 of the
Deposit Agreement and shall be collected at the sole discretion of the
Depositary by billing such Owners for such charge or by deducting such charge
from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
Β
The
Depositary, subject to ArticleΒ 8 hereof, may own and deal in any class of
securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts.
Β
Β
A-5
Β
Β
8.
|
PRE-RELEASE
OF RECEIPTS.
|
Β
Notwithstanding
Section 2.03 of the Deposit Agreement, unless requested in writing by the
Company to cease doing so, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior
to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Deposit Agreement (a
"Pre-Release"). Β The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.05 of the
Deposit Agreement, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts
which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the
termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has
been Pre-Released. Β The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares
in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Β Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or
accompanied by a written representation from the person to whom Receipts or
Shares are to be delivered that such person, or its customer, (i) owns the
Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all
beneficial right, title and interest in such Shares or Receipts, as the case may
be, to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners,
and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such Shares or Receipts, as
the case may be, that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership
(including, without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or
Receipts, as the case may be, other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release),
(b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the
Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than
five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and
credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. Β The number of
Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding
at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent
(30%) of the Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided, however,
that the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time
as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of
the Company, change such limit for purposes of general application. Β The
Depositary will also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions
to be entered into hereunder with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case
basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. Β For purposes of enabling the
Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement,
the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary
as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's obligations to the
Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the
Pre-Releasee's obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon termination of a
Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute
Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement).
Β
The
Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in
connection with the foregoing.
Β
9.
|
TITLE
TO RECEIPTS.
|
Β
It is a
condition of this Receipt and every successive Owner and Beneficial Owner of
this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to
this Receipt when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of
transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a
negotiable instrument under the laws of New York; provided, however, that the
Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in
whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary as the
absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to
distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for
in the Deposit Agreement or for all other purposes and neither the Depositary
nor the Company shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under
the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner
thereof.
Β
Β
A-6
Β
Β
10.
|
VALIDITY
OF RECEIPT.
|
Β
This
Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been
executed by the Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized
signatory of the Depositary; provided, however that such signature may be a
facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed and such
Receipts are countersigned by the manual of a duly authorized officer of the
Registrar.
Β
11.
|
REPORTS;
INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
|
Β
As of the
date of the Deposit Agreement, the Company publishes information in English
required to maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under
the Exchange Act on its Internet Web site (www. xxxxxx-xxxxx.xxx) or through an
electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its
primary trading market. Should the Company become subject to the periodic
reporting or other informational requirements under the Exchange Act, it will be
required in accordance therewith to file reports and other information with the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Β Β The Depositary does not
assume any duty to determine if the Company is complying with the current
requirements of Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act or to take any action if
the Company is not complying with those requirements.
The
Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners of Receipts at its
Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy
soliciting material, received from the Company that are both (a)Β received
by the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b)Β made
generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
Β The Depositary will also send to Owners of Receipts copies of such reports
when furnished by the Company pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. Β Any such
reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting material,
furnished to the Depositary by the Company shall be furnished in English to the
extent such materials are required to be translated into English pursuant to any
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Β
The
Depositary will keep books, at its Corporate Trust Office, for the registration
of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be
open for inspection by the Owners of Receipts and the Company, provided that
such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of
Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the
Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the
Receipts.
Β
Β
A-7
Β
Β
12.
|
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
|
Β
Whenever
the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any
Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any
amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be
converted on a reasonable basis into United States dollars transferable to the
United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert such dividend or
distribution into dollars and will distribute, as promptly as practicable, the
amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided
in ArticleΒ 7 hereof and SectionΒ 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement) to the
Owners of Receipts entitled thereto; provided, however, that in the event that
the Company or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any
cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities
an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed to the Owners of the
Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited
Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
Β
Subject
to the provisions of SectionsΒ 4.11 and 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement,
whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution
described in SectionΒ 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable, cause the securities or property
received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, in any manner
that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such
distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such
distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners of Receipts
entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary deems such
distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary, after consultation with the
Company, may adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the
purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the
public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part
thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of
the Depositary as provided in ArticleΒ 7 hereof and SectionΒ 5.09 of the
Deposit Agreement) will be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners of
Receipts entitled thereto all in the manner and subject to the conditions
described in Section 4.01 of the Deposit Agreement; provided, further, that no
such distribution to Owners pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Deposit Agreement
shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of the Depositary or any of its
agents. Β To the extent that such securities or property or the net proceeds
thereof are not effectively distributed to Owners as provided in Section 4.02 of
the Deposit Agreement, the same shall represent Deposited Securities and each
American Depositary Share shall therefore also represent its proportionate
interest in such securities, property or net proceeds.
Β
If any
distribution consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the
Depositary may distribute, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners of
outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, additional Receipts evidencing an
aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares
received as such dividend or free distribution subject to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and
the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the
withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11
of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees and expenses of the
Depositary as provided in ArticleΒ 7 hereof and SectionΒ 5.09 of the
Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that no such distribution to Owners
pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement shall be unreasonably delayed
by any action of the Depositary or any of its agents. Β In lieu of
delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case,
the Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to
the conditions described in Section 4.01 of the Deposit Agreement. Β If
additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall
thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited
Securities represented thereby.
Β
Β
A-8
Β
Β
In the
event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property
(including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or
other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the
Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such
property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and
in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such
taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any
such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners of Receipts
entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held
by them respectively. Β The Depositary shall use reasonable efforts to make
and maintain arrangements enabling Owners who are citizens or residents of the
United States to receive any tax credits or other benefits (pursuant to treaty
or otherwise) relating to dividend payments on the American Depositary
Shares.
Β
13.
|
RIGHTS.
|
Β
In the
event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any
Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights
of any other nature, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company, shall
have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights
available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners
and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such
rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such
rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net
proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to
lapse. Β If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary
determines in its discretion that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights
available to all or certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may
distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and
feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such
Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems
appropriate.
Β
In
circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of
Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to
exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner
under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will make such rights available to
such Owner upon written notice from the Company to the Depositary that
(a)Β the Company has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to
be exercised and (b)Β such Owner has executed such documents as the Company
has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable
law.
Β
Β
A-9
Β
Β
If the
Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or
certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such
warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such
rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such
Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon
the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees and expenses of the
Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other
instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights
and purchase the Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to
be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. Β As agent for such
Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited
pursuant to SectionΒ 2.02 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to
SectionΒ 2.03 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such
Owner. Β In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of
this ArticleΒ 13, depositary arrangements shall be made providing for the
issuance of Receipts legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and
subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and
transfer under applicable U.S. laws.
Β
If the
Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to
make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights,
warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary
Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or
feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales
(net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in SectionΒ 5.09
of the Deposit Agreement and all taxes and governmental charges payable in
connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such
rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis
without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange
restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise. Such proceeds
shall be distributed in accordance with Section 4.01 of the Deposit
Agreement.
Β
Except as
otherwise provided in the second paragraph of this Article 13, the Depositary
will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to
which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to all Owners or are
registered under the provisions of such Act; provided, that nothing in the
Deposit Agreement shall create, any obligation on the part of the Company to
file a registration statement with respect to such rights or underlying
securities or to endeavor to have such a registration statement declared
effective. Β If an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants
or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration
under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has
received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Company
upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is
exempt from such registration.
Β
The
Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be
lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any
Owner in particular.
Β
Β
A-10
Β
Β
14.
|
CONVERSION
OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
|
Β
Whenever
the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive foreign currency, by way of
dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of
securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the
foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted
on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the
United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or
in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars,
and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the
Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which
entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such
warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation. Β Such
distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without
regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the
date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of
conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in
SectionΒ 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement.
Β
If such
conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of
any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for
approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
Β
If at any
time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency
received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on a reasonable
basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or
license of any government or agency thereof that is required for such conversion
is denied or in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or
if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as
determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the foreign currency
(or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign
currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such
foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the
respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
Β
If any
such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for
distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its
discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent
permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the
foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested
and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the
Owners entitled thereto.
Β
15.
|
RECORD
DATES.
|
Β
Whenever
any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any
distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued
with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall
receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited
Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the
number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or
whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary
shall fix a record date, which, if practicable, shall be the record date, if
any, established by the Company or applicable under German law as the Company
may advise the Depositary from time to time for such purposes or, if different,
as close thereto as practicable (a)Β for the determination of the Owners of
Receipts who shall be (i)Β entitled to receive such dividend, distribution
or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, (ii)Β entitled to give
instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (iii)
responsible for any fee or charges assessed by the Depositary pursuant to the
Deposit Agreement, or (b)Β on or after which each American Depositary Share
will represent the changed number of Shares, subject to the provisions of the
Deposit Agreement.
Β
Β
A-11
Β
Β
16.
|
VOTING
OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
|
Β
Upon
receipt of notice from the Company of any meeting of, or solicitation of proxies
or consents from, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the
Depositary shall, if requested in writing by the Company, as soon as practicable
thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice (the "Notice"), the form of which shall
be in the sole discretion of the Depositary but which shall
contain:
Β
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β such
information as is contained in the notice of meeting or solicitation sent by the
Company to the Depositary; Β
Β
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement that each Owner as of the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.06
of the Deposit Agreement will be entitled, subject to applicable provisions of
law, including any laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Satzung
(Articles of Association) of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the
exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or
other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary
Shares;
Β
(c)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement as to the manner in which instructions with respect to voting may be
given;
Β
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
statement that, if no voting instructions are received on or before the date
established by the Depositary for such purpose (the "Instruction Date"), that an
Owner shall be deemed to have instructed the Depositary to give a proxy to the
Custodian to vote such Shares or other Deposited Securities in accordance with
the Recommendation (as defined below) as provided under Section 135 of the Stock
Corporation Act of Germany (the "Stock Corporation Act") (as discussed below);
and
Β
(e)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β a
copy of the Recommendation (as defined below) prepared by such Custodian in
accordance with Section 128(2) of the Stock Corporation Act, together with an
English translation thereof.
Β
The
Company has advised that at the date of the Deposit Agreement, Section 128(2) of
the Stock Corporation Act of Germany requires a Vorschlag (a
"Recommendation") be issued in respect of meeting agenda items under certain
circumstances by certain German banks that may exercise voting rights on behalf
of shareholders. Β The Company has further advised that Section 135 of the
Stock Corporation Act provides that if voting instructions are not received by
such German banks as to such shares, such shares may, in certain circumstances,
be voted in accordance with the Recommendation issued under Section 128(2) of
the Stock Corporation Act.
Β
Β
A-12
Β
Β
Upon the
written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the
Instruction Date, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable to vote
or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares in accordance with the
instructions received from Owners of such American Depositary
Shares.
Β
The
Depositary shall not, and shall ensure that its Custodian does not, vote or
attempt to exercise the right to vote or exercise any voting discretion over the
Shares or other Deposited Securities, other than in accordance with such
instructions received from Owners (or deemed to have been received as set forth
in (d) above and in the next paragraph).
Β
Subject
to the following paragraph, if no specific voting instructions are received by
the Depositary from any Owner (to whom Notice was sent at the Company's request)
with respect to the Shares or Deposited Securities represented by such Owner's
American Depositary Shares on or before the Instruction Date, such Owner shall
be deemed, and the Depositary shall deem such Owner, to have instructed the
Depositary to give a proxy to the Custodian with respect to such Shares or other
Deposited Securities to vote such Shares or other Deposited Securities in
accordance with the Recommendation.
Β
The
Depositary shall request that the Custodian deliver its Recommendation to the
Depositary no later than fourteen (14) calendar days after the Company has
published proposed resolutions with respect to the relevant meeting in the
Federal Gazette. Β However, anything in the Deposit Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Depositary shall not receive the
Recommendation at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to any meeting of
holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall mail the
Notice, without such Recommendation (and without reference to any deemed proxy
to be given to the Custodian), and thereafter, in any case in which no specific
voting instructions are received by the Depositary from an Owner on or before
the Instruction Date, no votes shall be cast at such meeting with respect to
such Shares or Deposited Securities.
Β
Subject
to Section 5.03 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not be
responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the
Deposited Securities, for any failure to timely receive a Recommendation, for
the manner in which any such vote is cast, or for the effect of any such vote,
including, without limitation, any deemed proxy or proxy in connection with a
Recommendation or any failure to vote in accordance with a
Recommendation.
Β
There can
be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive
the notice described in the preceding paragraphs sufficiently prior to the
Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited
Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding
paragraphs.
Β
Β
A-13
Β
Β
In the
event that, on any meeting date, the number of Deposited Securities on deposit
under the Deposit Agreement is less than the number of Deposited Securities with
respect to which the Depositary has received voting instructions, the Depositary
shall vote or caused to be voted such Deposited Securities in accordance with
such instructions, adjusting the number of Deposited Securities voted on a
pro-rated basis.
Β
17.
|
CHANGES
AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
|
Β
In
circumstances where the provisions of SectionΒ 4.03 of the Deposit Agreement
do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up,
consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon
any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of assets
affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be
received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or
in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities
under the Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth
represent, in addition to the existing Deposited Securities, the right to
receive the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion,
unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence.
Β In any such case the Depositary may, and shall if the Company shall
reasonably request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a
dividend in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be
exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited
Securities.
Β
Β
A-14
Β
Β
18.
|
LIABILITY
OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY.
|
Β
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company nor any of their respective directors,
supervisory or management board members, employees, agents or affiliates shall
incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt, (i) if by
reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United
States or any other country, or of any other governmental or regulatory
authority, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company, or by reason of any provision of any securities
issued or distributed by the Company, or any offering or distribution thereof,
or by reason of any act of God or war or terrorism or other circumstances beyond
its control, the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented, delayed or
forbidden from or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of
doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement
or Deposited Securities it is provided shall be done or performed, (ii) by
reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance
of any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided
shall or may be done or performed, (iii) by reason of any exercise of, or
failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement, (iv)
for the inability of any Owner or holder to benefit from any distribution,
offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited
Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available
to Owners or holders, or (v) for any special, consequential or punitive damages
for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement. Β Where, by the terms
of a distribution pursuant to SectionΒ 4.01, 4.02, or 4.03 of the Deposit
Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to SectionΒ 4.04 of the
Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may
not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such
distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds
available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution
or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse. Β Where,
by the terms of a distribution pursuant to SectionΒ 4.01, 4.02 or 4.03 of
the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to
SectionΒ 4.04 of the Deposit Agreement, such distribution or offering may
not be made available to Owners of Receipts, and the Depositary may not dispose
of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net
proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such
distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
Β Neither the Company nor the Depositary assumes any obligation or shall be
subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to Owners or Beneficial
Owners of Receipts, except that they agree to perform their obligations
specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Β The Depositary shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the
validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. Β Neither the Depositary nor
the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any
action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in
respect of the Receipts on behalf of any Owner or holder. Β Neither the
Depositary nor the Company shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in
reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any
person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a
Receipt, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to
give such advice or information. Β Β The Depositary shall not be
responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the
Deposited Securities, for any failure to timely receive a Recommendation, for
the manner in which any such vote is cast, or for the effect of any such vote,
including, without limitation, any deemed proxy or proxy in connection with a
Recommendation or any failure to vote in accordance with a Recommendation,
provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith. Β The
Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor
depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the
Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or
resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of
which such potential liability arises, the Depositary performed its obligations
without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
Β
19.
|
RESIGNATION
AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR
CUSTODIAN.
|
Β
The
Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of
its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect
Β upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such
appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. Β The Depositary may at
any time be removed by the Company by 90 days prior written notice of such
removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 90th
Β day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
provided in the Deposit Agreement. Β Whenever the Depositary in its
discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners of Receipts
to do so, it may, upon consultation with the Company, appoint a substitute or
additional custodian or custodians.
Β
Β
A-15
Β
Β
20.
|
AMENDMENT.
|
Β
The form
of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and
from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary
without the consent of Owners or Beneficial Owners of Receipts in any respect
which they may deem necessary or desirable. Β Any amendment which shall
impose or increase any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental
charges, registration fees and cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs,
delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any
substantial existing right of Owners of Receipts, shall, however, not become
effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty (30) days
after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of
outstanding Receipts. Β Every Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt at the
time any amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold
such Receipt or any interest therein, to consent and agree to such amendment and
to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. Β In no event shall
any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such
Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except
in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Β
Β
A-16
Β
Β
21.
|
TERMINATION
OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
|
Β
The
Depositary at any time at the direction of the Company, shall terminate the
Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all
Receipts then outstanding at least ninety (90) days prior to the date fixed in
such notice for such termination. Β The Depositary may likewise terminate
the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Company and
the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time ninety (90) days have
passed since the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice
of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been
appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.04 of the
Deposit Agreement. Β On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a
Receipt will, upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office
of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of
Receipts referred to in Sections 2.05 or 5.09 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c)
payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to
delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt.
Β If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination,
the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of
Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and
shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit
Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and
other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights and
other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to
deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions
received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or
other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after
deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a
Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes
or governmental charges). Β At any time after the expiration of six months
from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities
then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net
proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it
thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata
benefit of the Owners of Receipts that have not theretofore been surrendered,
such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect
to such net proceeds. Β After making such sale, the Depositary shall be
discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except to account
for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of
the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of
the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Β Upon
the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from
all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the
Depositary with respect to indemnification, charges, and expenses.
Β
22.
|
SUBMISSION
TO JURISDICTION.
|
Β
In the
Deposit Agreement, the Company has (i) appointed, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, adidas North
America, Inc., 0000 X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, as the Company's authorized
agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of
or relating to the Shares or Deposited Securities, the American Depositary
Shares, the Receipts or the Deposit Agreement, (ii) consented and submitted to
the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the State of New York in which
any such suit or proceeding may be instituted, and (iii) agreed that service of
process upon said authorized agent shall be deemed in every respect effective
service of process upon the Company in any such suit or proceeding.
Β
Β
A-17
Β
Β
23.
|
DISCLOSURE
OF INTEREST.
|
Β
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Beneficial Owner
agrees to be bound by and subject to the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company (to the same extent as if the American Depositary
Shares evidenced by a Receipt were the Shares represented by such American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt) and to provide such information to
the Company relating to ownership of the Shares as may be required thereunder.
Β Under German law, as in effect on the date hereof, a person who acquires
shares in a company resulting in the total interest in the voting share capital
held by such person exceeding, reaching or falling below certain thresholds,
must notify such company within four trading days from the time when it has or
should have knowledge of the completion of the acquisition; these thresholds are
3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50%, and 75% of the total voting share capital
of such company. Β This provision has to be observed not only with regard to
Shares directly held but to the same extent for American Depositary Shares
representing such Shares. Β Each Owner or Beneficial Owner agrees regarding
Shares or American Depositary Shares acquired by it to provide the required
information within the prescribed time period and in the prescribed manner to
the Company in writing, to the extent that such information is available to it
and is permitted to be disclosed under applicable law. Β If the Company
requests information from the Depositary or the Custodian, as the registered
owners of Shares, pursuant to German law or the Satzung (Articles of
Association) of the Company, the obligations of the Depositary or the Custodian
as the case may be, shall be limited to disclosing to the Company such
information relating to the Shares in question as has in each case been recorded
by it pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and which is permitted to
be disclosed under applicable law.
24.
|
UNCERTIFICATED
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES; DTC DIRECT REGISTRATION
SYSTEM.
|
Β
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the Deposit Agreement:
Β
(a)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β American
Depositary Shares may be certificated securities evidenced by Receipts or
uncertificated securities. Β The form of Receipt annexed as Exhibit A to the
Deposit Agreement summarizes the terms and conditions of, and will be the
prospectus required under the Securities Act of 1933 for, both certificated and
uncertificated American Depositary Shares. Β Except for those provisions of
the Deposit Agreement that by their nature do not apply to uncertificated
American Depositary Shares, all the provisions of the Deposit Agreement shall
apply, mutatis mutandis, to both certificated and uncertificated American
Depositary Shares.
Β
(b)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (i)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
term "deliver", or its noun form, when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean
(A) book-entry transfer of American Depositary Shares to an account at The
Depository Trust Company, or its successor ("DTC"), designated by the person
entitled to such delivery, evidencing American Depositary Shares registered in
the name requested by that person, Β (B) registration of American Depositary
Shares not evidenced by a Receipt on the books of the Depositary in the name
requested by the person entitled to such delivery and Β mailing to that
person of a statement confirming that registration or (C) if requested by the
person entitled to such delivery, delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Depositary to the person entitled to such delivery of one or more
Receipts.
(ii)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The term
"surrender", when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean (A) one or more
book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the
Depositary, (B) delivery to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of an
instruction to surrender American Depositary Shares not evidenced by a Receipt
Β or (C) surrender to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of one or
more Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares.
(c)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β American
Depositary Shares not evidenced by Receipts shall be transferable as
uncertificated registered securities under the laws of New York.
Β
Β
A-18
Β
Β
(d)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary shall have a duty to register a transfer, in the case of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares, upon receipt from the Owner of a
proper instruction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, instructions through
DRS and Profile as provided in subsection (f) below). Β The Depositary, upon
surrender of a Receipt for the purpose of exchanging it for uncertificated
American Depositary Shares, shall cancel that Receipt and send the Owner a
statement confirming that the Owner is the owner of the same number of
uncertificated American Depositary Shares that the surrendered Receipt
evidenced. The Depositary, upon receipt of a proper instruction (including, for
the avoidance of doubt, instructions through DRS and Profile as provided in
subsection (f) below) from the Owner of uncertificated American Depositary
Shares for the purpose of exchanging them for certificated American Depositary
Shares, shall execute and deliver to the Owner a Receipt evidencing the same
number of certificated American Depositary Shares.
Β
(e)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
satisfaction of the conditions for replacement of a Receipt that is mutilated,
lost, destroyed or stolen, the Depositary shall deliver to the Owner the
American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in uncertificated form
unless otherwise requested by the Owner.
Β
Β
|
(f)
|
(i)
|
The
parties acknowledge that the Direct Registration System ("DRS") and
Profile Modification System ("Profile") shall apply to uncertificated
American Depositary Shares upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC.
Β DRS is the system administered by DTC pursuant to which the
Depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated American
Depositary Shares, which ownership shall be evidenced by periodic
statements issued by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto.
Β Profile is a required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant,
claiming to act on behalf of an Owner of American Depositary Shares, to
direct the Depositary to register a transfer of those American Depositary
Shares to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those American Depositary
Shares to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the
Depositary of prior authorization from the Owner to register such
transfer.
|
Β
(ii)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating
to DRS/Profile, the parties understand that the Depositary will not verify,
determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to
be acting on behalf of an Owner in requesting a registration of transfer and
delivery as described in subsection (i) above has the actual authority to act on
behalf of the Owner (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform
Commercial Code of New York). Β For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions
of Sections 5.03 and 5.08 of the Deposit Agreement shall apply to the matters
arising from the use of the DRS. Β The parties agree that the Depositary's
reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through
the DRS/Profile System and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement shall not
constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the Depositary.
Β
Β
A-19
Β
Β