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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 27, 1996
by and between
WCI Steel, Inc.
and
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
Securities Corporation
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of November 27, 1996, by and between WCI Steel, Inc., an Ohio
corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxxxx, Lufkin & Xxxxxxxx Securities
Corporation (the "Initial Purchaser"), who has agreed to purchase the Company's
10% Senior Secured Notes due 2004, Series A (the "Series A Senior Notes")
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as
of November 22, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and
the Initial Purchaser. In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to purchase the
Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set
forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchaser under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall
have the following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Business Day: Any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day in the
City of New York, or in the city of the corporate trust office of the Trustee,
on which banks are authorized to close.
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange
Act.
Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Securities: Series B Notes that
are acquired by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Series A
Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market
making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any of its affiliates).
Closing Date: The date hereof.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for
purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the
maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the
keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to
the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by
Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Damages Payment Date: With respect to the Series A Notes, each
Interest Payment Date.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Act of the
Series B Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to
which the Company shall offer the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities for Series B Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in
such exchange offer by such Holders.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchaser
proposes to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers,"
as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, to certain "accredited
investors," as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), or (7) under
the Act and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the
Act.
Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
Indemnified Holder: As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated the Closing Date, by and between the
Company and Fleet National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to which
the Notes are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from
time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Notes: The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust,
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at
the time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
Record Holder: With respect to any Damages Payment Date, each Person
who is a Holder of Notes on the record date with respect to the Interest Payment
Date on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or
(b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, (i) which is filed pursuant
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to the provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included
therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective
amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
Restricted Broker-Dealer: Any Broker-Dealer which holds
Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Securities.
Series B Notes: The Company's 10% Senior Secured Notes due 2004,
Series B to be issued pursuant to the Indenture (i) in the Exchange Offer or
(ii) upon the request of any Holder of Series A Notes covered by a Shelf
Registration Statement, in exchange for such Series A Notes.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Note, until the earliest to
occur of (a) the date on which such Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer and
entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with
the prospectus delivery requirements of the Act, (b) the date on which such Note
has been disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement, (c) the
date on which such Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan
of Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein) or (d) the date on
which such Note is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration
in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to
the public.
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
(each, a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable
federal law, the Company shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission as soon
as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 45 days after
the Closing Date, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (ii) use reasonable
efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective
at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than 120 days after the
Closing Date, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective
amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in
order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective,
(B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all
necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration
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and qualification of the Series B Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange
Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall
be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Series B Notes to be
offered in exchange for the Series A Notes that are Transfer Restricted
Securities and to permit sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Securities
by Restricted Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the
Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required
under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange
Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20
Business Days. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply in all
material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No
securities other than the Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the
Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event
later than 30 Business Days thereafter.
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in
the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and
indicate therein that any Restricted Broker-Dealer who holds Series A Notes that
are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for the account of
such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, may exchange such Series A Notes (other than Transfer Restricted
Securities acquired directly from the Company or any affiliate of the Company)
pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in connection with its initial
sale of each Series B Note received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer,
which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such
Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other
information with respect to such sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted
Securities by Restricted Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order
to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Notes held by any such
Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a
change in policy after the date of this Agreement.
The Company shall use reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as
required by the provisions of Section 6(c) below to the extent necessary to
ensure that it is available for sales of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted
Securities by Restricted Broker-Dealers, and to ensure that such Registration
Statement conforms in all material respects with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time, for a period of 180 days from the date on which the
Exchange Offer is Consummated.
The Company shall promptly provide sufficient copies of the latest
version of such Prospectus to such Restricted Broker-Dealers promptly upon
request, and in no event later than one Business Day after such request, at any
time during such 180-day period in order to facilitate such sales.
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SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company is not required to file
an Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to the Series B Notes
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or (ii) if any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20
Business Days following the Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such
Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the
Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by
it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a
Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or one
of its affiliates, then the Company shall (x) cause to be filed on or prior to
30 days after the date on which the Company determines that it is not required
to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to clause (i) above
or 30 days after the date on which the Company receives the notice specified in
clause (ii) above a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in
either event, the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating to all Transfer
Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information
required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof, and shall (y) use reasonable efforts
to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to 90
days after the date on which the Company becomes obligated to file such Shelf
Registration Statement. If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement which satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above,
the Company is required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration
Statement solely because the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted under
applicable federal law, then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above. Such
an event shall have no effect on the requirements of clause (y) above. The
Company shall use reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
discussed in this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented and amended
as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to
the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for sales of Transfer
Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms in all material respects with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least three
years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(c)(i)) following the date on which such
Shelf Registration Statement first becomes effective under the Act or such
shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto or
are, in the written opinion of counsel to the Company, eligible for sale under
Rule 144(k) under the Act.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with
the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, such
information specified in Item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Act for use in
connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary
Prospectus included therein or Prospectus supplement. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have used its best efforts
to provide all such
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information. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being
effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to
be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the
Company by such Holder not materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not
filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in
this Agreement, (ii) any such Registration Statement has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been
Consummated within 30 Business Days after the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is first declared effective by the Commission or (iv) any Registration
Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall
thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose
without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such
Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared
effective immediately (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv),
a "Registration Default"), then the Company hereby agrees to pay liquidated
damages to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to the
first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration
Default, in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion
thereof that the Registration Default continues. The amount of the liquidated
damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day
period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount
of liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2)
upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an
additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be
declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated
damages payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result
of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the beneficial
holders of interests in the Global Security (as defined in the Indenture) by
wire transfer of immediately available funds and to Holders of Securities (as
defined in the Indenture) in certificated form by mailing checks to their
registered addresses on each Damages Payment Date. All obligations of the
Company set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect
to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a
Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such
obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.
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SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall comply in all material respects with all
applicable provisions of Section 6(c) below, shall use reasonable efforts to
effect such exchange and to permit the sale of Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted
Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof, and shall comply in all material respects with all of the
following provisions:
(i) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company,
prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written representation
to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal
contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect
that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in,
and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding
with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Series B Notes to
be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Series B Notes
in its ordinary course of business. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and
agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer
to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the
Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the
date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated
in Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital
Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the
Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar
no-action letters and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered
by an effective registration statement containing the selling security
holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of
Regulation S-K if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained by such
Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired by such Holder directly
from the Company or an affiliate thereof.
(ii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company shall provide a supplemental letter to the
Commission (A) stating that the Company is registering the Exchange Offer
in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital
Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Co.,
Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and (B) including a representation that the
Company has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any
Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be received in the Exchange
Offer and that, to the best of the Company's information and belief, each
Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Series B Notes
in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding
with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Series B Notes
received in the Exchange Offer.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of
Section 6(c) below and shall use reasonable efforts to effect such registration
to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as
indicated in the information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b)
hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file
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with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any
appropriate form under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of
the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration
Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the
sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the related Prospectus, to the
extent that the same are required to be available to permit sales of
Broker-Dealer Transfer Restricted Securities by Restricted Broker-Dealers), the
Company shall:
(i) use reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for
the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable.
Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration
Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material
misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale
of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this
Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to
such Registration Statement, (1) in the case of clause (A), correcting any
such misstatement or omission, and (2) in the case of clauses (A) and (B),
use reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective
and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become
usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable
period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, or such shorter period as will
terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply in all
material respects with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable, under the
Act in a timely manner; and comply in all material respects with the
provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities
covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the
sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to
the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders
promptly and, if requested by such Persons, confirm such advice in
writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the
same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for
amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to
the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any
state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the
existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the
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Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that
requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration
Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that
requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission
shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other
regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or
exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall use its best efforts
to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
time;
(iv) furnish to the Initial Purchaser(s), each selling Holder
named in any Registration Statement or Prospectus and each of the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, before filing with
the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus
included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference
after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents
will be subject to the reasonable review and comment of such Holders and
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at
least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which the selling Holders of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, shall reasonably
object within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A selling
Holder or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to have reasonably objected
to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or
supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material
misstatement or omission or fails to comply in all material respects with
the applicable requirements of the Act;
(v) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be
incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus,
provide copies of such document to the selling Holders and to the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, make the Company's
representatives available for discussion of such document and other
customary due diligence matters, and include such information in such
document prior to the filing thereof as such selling Holders or
underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any managing underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant
retained by such selling Holders or any of such underwriter(s), all
pertinent financial and other records, corporate documents and properties
of the Company and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees
to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder,
underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing
thereof and prior to its effectiveness;
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(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, promptly include in
any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or
post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling
Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have
included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to
the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities,
information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being
paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer
Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required
filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon
as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be included
in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(viii) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, without charge, at
least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the
Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all exhibits;
(ix) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
(including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby
consents to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of
the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale
of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto;
(x) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement) and make such representations and warranties and take all such
other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate
the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably
requested by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter
in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement, and in such connection, whether
or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company shall:
(A) furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use
reasonable efforts to furnish) to each selling Holder and each
underwriter, if any, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement and to each Restricted Broker-Dealer upon
Consummation of the Exchange Offer:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed on behalf
of the Company by (x) the President or any Vice President and
(y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company
confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in
paragraphs (a) through (d) of Section 7 of the Purchase
Agreement and such other similar matters as the
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Holders, underwriter(s) and/or Restricted Broker Dealers may
reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the
Company covering matters similar to those set forth in
paragraph (f) of Section 7 of the Purchase Agreement and such
other matters as the Holders, underwriters and/or Restricted
Broker Dealers may reasonably request, and in any event
including a statement to the effect that such counsel has
participated in conferences with officers and other
representatives of the Company, representatives of the
independent public accountants for the Company and have
considered the matters required to be stated therein and the
statements contained therein, although such counsel has not
independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness
of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the
basis of the foregoing (relying as to materiality to a large
extent upon facts provided to such counsel by officers and
other representatives of the Company and without independent
check or verification), no facts came to such counsel's
attention that caused such counsel to believe that the
applicable Registration Statement, at the time such
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto
became effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, contained an untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the
opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer,
as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may
state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for,
and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules
and other financial data included in any Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related
Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the date
of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as the case may be,
from the Company's independent accountants, in the customary
form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
comfort letters to underwriters in connection with primary
underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in
the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 7 of the
Purchase Agreement, without exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the
underwriting agreement, if any, in connection with any sale or
resale pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement
-12-
the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof
with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said
Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if
any, and Restricted Broker Dealers, if any, to evidence compliance
with clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the
Company pursuant to this clause (x).
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or
similar agreement, if any, as and to the extent required thereunder, and
if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company
contemplated in (A)(1) above cease to be true and correct, the Company
shall so advise the underwriter(s), if any, the selling Holders and each
Restricted Broker-Dealer promptly and if requested by such Persons, shall
confirm such advice in writing;
(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities
or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or
underwriter(s), if any, may request and do any and all other acts or
things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation
where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject
it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to
matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any
jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
(xii) issue, upon the request of any Holder of Series A Notes
covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to
the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes surrendered to the
Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder;
such Series B Notes to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the
name of the purchaser(s) of such Notes, as the case may be; in return, the
Series A Notes held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for
cancellation;
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and the
underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and
not bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such Transfer
Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the Holders
or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days
prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xiv) use reasonable efforts to cause the disposition of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof
-13-
or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such
Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause
(xi) above;
(xv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event
contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred,
prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the
Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(xvi) provide a CUSIP number or numbers for all Transfer
Restricted Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration
Statement covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the
Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer
Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company;
(xvii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by
any underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter") that
is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of
the NASD, and use reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement
to become effective and approved by such governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer
Restricted Securities to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities;
(xviii) otherwise use reasonable efforts to comply in all
material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission, and make generally available to its security holders with
regard to any applicable Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a
consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under
the Act (which need not be audited) covering a twelve-month period
beginning after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as such
term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the Act);
(xix) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required
by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee
and the Holders of Notes to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the
terms of the TIA; and execute and use reasonable efforts to cause the
Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such
changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
and
(xx) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each
document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
-14-
(d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(i) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of
the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
applicable Registration Statement and Prospectus contained therein until such
Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by
the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received
copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus (the "Advice"). If so directed by the Company, each
Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other
than permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus
covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of
receipt of either such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such
notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(i) or Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof
to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration
Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xv) hereof or shall have received the
Advice.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or
compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and reasonable expenses
(including filings made by the Initial Purchaser or any Holder with the NASD
(and, if applicable, the reasonable fees and expenses of any "qualified
independent underwriter") and its counsel that may be required by the rules and
regulations of the NASD); (ii) all reasonable fees and expenses of compliance
with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all
reasonable expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Series
B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses),
messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities; (v) all application and filing fees, if any, in connection with
listing the Notes on a national securities exchange or automated quotation
system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all reasonable fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company
(including the reasonable expenses of any special audit and comfort letters
required by or incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and
employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual
audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts,
retained by the Company.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and/or the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will reimburse
the Initial Purchaser and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being
tendered in the Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution"
-15-
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or registered pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be chosen by the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each
Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section
15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons
referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a "controlling
person") and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person
referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an
"Indemnified Holder"), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses
(including without limitation and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable
costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim or action, or
any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any
Indemnified Holder) directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon,
arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto),
or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are
caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the
Holders expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the foregoing
indemnity agreement with respect to any Registration Statement, preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) shall not
inure to the benefit of any Holder from whom the Person asserting any such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses purchased
Series B Notes, or any Person controlling such Holder, if a copy of the
Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished
any amendments or supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of
such Holder to such Person, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale
of the Series B Notes to such Person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended and
supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such loss, claim,
damage, liability, judgment, action or expense.
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any
of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against
the Company, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by
such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing (provided,
that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company of its
obligations pursuant to this Agreement unless it shall have been determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction, by a final judgment not subject to appeal or
review, that such failure shall have resulted in a material adverse effect upon
the Company). Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own
counsel in any such action and the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company; provided, however, that the Company
shall be entitled to participate in such action or proceeding and, to the extent
-16-
that the Company shall wish to assume the defense thereof (provided that any
such participation or assumption shall be permitted only upon written notice to
the Indemnified Holder which notice is received within 10 days of the Company's
actual knowledge of such action or proceeding), with counsel satisfactory to
such Indemnified Holder (which counsel shall not, except with the consent of the
Indemnified Holder, be counsel to the Company), at the Company's expense, and
after notice from the Company to such Indemnified Holder of the Company's
election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company shall not be liable to
such Indemnified Holder under this Section 8(a) for any legal expenses of other
counsel or any other expenses, in such case subsequently incurred by such
Indemnified Holder, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation; provided, further, that the Company shall not be
entitled to control the defense of, or investigation by, such Indemnified Holder
if such Indemnified Holder has been advised by its counsel that there could
reasonably be expected to be a conflict of interest between the Company and such
Indemnified Holder under applicable standards of professional responsibility.
The Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or
separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified
Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company shall be
liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the
Company's prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld
unreasonably, and the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written
consent of the Company. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent
of each Indemnified Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld),
settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to
terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in
respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder
(whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such
settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release
of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim,
litigation or proceeding.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally
and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, any Person
controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act) the Company, and their respective officers, directors, partners,
employees, representatives and agents (collectively, "Indemnified Company
Persons"), to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to
each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions
based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or
proceeding shall be brought against any Indemnified Company Person in respect of
which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Company, and
the Indemnified Company Person shall have the rights and duties given to each
Indemnified Holder by Section 8(a). In no event shall any Holder be liable or
responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total received
by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder
for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages which
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
-17-
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b) hereof
(other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then
each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the
Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of
Transfer Restricted Securities or if such allocation is not permitted by
applicable law, the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the
Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative
fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Holder, on the
other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company
or by the Indemnified Holder and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access
to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a),
any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in
connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree
that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section
8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as
one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder or
its related Indemnified Holders shall be required to contribute, in the
aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total received by
such Holder with respect to the sale of its Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the sum of (A) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities plus (B) the amount of any
damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Series A Notes held by each of the Holders hereunder and not
joint.
-18-
SECTION 9. RULE 144A
The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any
Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which
the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act, to make available, upon request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities, to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities
in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such
Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such Holder or beneficial owner,
the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit
resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
SECTION 10. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder
unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted
Securities on the basis provided in customary underwriting arrangements entered
into in connection therewith and (b) completes and executes all reasonable
questionnaires, powers of attorney, and other documents required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 11. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
For any Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers for any Underwritten Offering that will
administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering. Such investment bankers and managers are referred to herein as
the "underwriters."
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. Each party hereto, in addition to being entitled to
exercise all rights provided herein, in the Indenture, the Purchase Agreement or
granted by law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, to the extent
applicable to such party, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Agreement. Each party hereto agrees that monetary damages would not
be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of
the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the defense in any
action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not, on or after
the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has not
previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with
respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
-19-
(c) Adjustments Affecting the Notes. The Company will not take any
action, or voluntarily permit any change to occur, with respect to the Notes
that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to
Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to
departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and
that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose
securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given
by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities subject to such Exchange Offer.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of
the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company:
WCI Steel, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx
With a copy to:
Cadwalader, Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxx
000 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx, Esq.,
c/o Managing Attorneys' office
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five
Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed;
when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if
timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
-20-
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided,
however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding
upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor
or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities directly from such Holder.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
-21-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
WCI STEEL, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
----------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title: VP, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer
XXXXXXXXX, LUFKIN & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
