EXHIBIT 4.5
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SENIOR NOTES DUE 2006
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of January 25, 1999
by and among
EchoStar DBS Corporation,
the Company
Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation;
EchoStar Satellite Corporation;
EchoStar Technologies Corporation;
Echosphere Corporation;
EchoStar International Corporation
EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation
EchoStar Space Corporation
Dish, Ltd.
DirectSat Corporation
Echo Acceptance Corporation
Dish Installation Network Corporation
HT Ventures, Inc.
Satellite Source, Inc.
Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.
EchoStar North America Corporation
Sky Vista Corporation
EchoStar Indonesia, Inc.
as Guarantors
and
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx
Securities Corporation,
Bear Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc.,
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.,
NationsBanc Xxxxxxxxxx Securities LLC,
CIBC Xxxxxxxxxxx Corp.
and
ING Baring Xxxxxx Xxxx LLC,
as Initial Purchasers
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of January 25, 1999, by and among EchoStar DBS Corporation, a
Colorado corporation (the "COMPANY"), the parties set forth on Schedule A
hereto, as guarantors (collectively, the "GUARANTORS"), and Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxxx Securities Corporation, Bear Xxxxxxx & Co. Inc., Xxxxxx Brothers
Inc., NationsBanc Xxxxxxxxxx Securities LLC, CIBC Xxxxxxxxxxx Corp. and ING
Baring Xxxxxx Xxxx LLC (each, an "INITIAL PURCHASER" and, collectively, the
"INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of whom has agreed to purchase an aggregate of
$375,000,000 in principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2006 (the
"NOTES"), of the Company, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined
below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated January
15, 1999 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company, the Guarantors
and the Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase
the 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 Purchasers set forth in Section 2
of the Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated
January 25, 1999, between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust National
Association, as Trustee, relating to the Notes and the Exchange Notes (the
"INDENTURE").
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.
AFFILIATE: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
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 (i) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the
maintenance of such Exchange Offer continuously effective and the keeping of
the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required
pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the
Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Notes that were
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
CONSUMMATION DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXCHANGE NOTES: The Company's 9 1/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2006 to
be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii) as
contemplated by Section 6 hereof, and the guarantees thereof by each
Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
EXCHANGE OFFER: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
amount of Exchange Notes (which shall be registered, pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such exchange and
issuance.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
same 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.
RECOMMENCEMENT DATE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company and
the Guarantors relating to (a) an offering of Exchange 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)
that is filed pursuant 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.
REGULATION S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
SUSPENSION NOTICE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION or UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to
the public.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Note, until the earliest to occur
of (a) the date on which such Note is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an
Exchange Note which is 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 may be
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Act or (d) each
Exchange Note until the date on which such Exchange Note is disposed of by a
Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including the delivery of the
Prospectus contained therein).
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 law
or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) below
have been complied with), the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) cause the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon
as practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later than 90 days
after the Closing Date (such 90th day being the "FILING DEADLINE"), (ii) use
their best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to
become effective at the earliest possible time, but in no event later than
180 days after the Closing Date (such 180th day being the "EFFECTIVENESS
DEADLINE"), (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 it 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 and qualification of the
Exchange 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 such that the Exchange Offer is Consummated not
later than the 210th day after the Closing Date. The Exchange Offer shall be
on the appropriate form permitting (i) registration of the Exchange Offer
Notes to be offered in exchange for the Notes that are Transfer Restricted
Securities and (ii) resales of Exchange Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered
into the Exchange Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account
as
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a result of market making activities or other trading activities (other than
Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as
contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective 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 and
the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable
federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the Exchange
Notes and the Exchange Notes to be issued pursuant to the Indenture relating
to the Company's 9 3/8% Senior Notes due 2009 shall be included in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement. The Company and the Guarantors shall use their
respective best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated not
later than the 210th day after the Closing Date (such 210th day being the
"CONSUMMATION DEADLINE").
(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 Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted
Securities that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than
Notes acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company),
may exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other
information with respect to such sales by such 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 Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer,
except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in
policy, rules or regulations after the date of this Agreement.
Because 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 any initial sale of any Exchange
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company and
the Guarantors shall permit the use of the prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such
Prospectus delivery requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the
prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is
available for sales of Exchange Notes by Brokers-Dealers, the Company and the
Guarantors shall use their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and
current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and
6(c) hereof and in conformity 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 one year from the date on which the
Exchange Offer is Consummated or such shorter period as will terminate when
all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement
have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company and the Guarantors shall
provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such
Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day
after such request, at any time during such period.
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SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy (after the Company and the Guarantors
have complied with the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) below) or (ii) if
any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within
20 business days following the date on which the Exchange Offer is
Consummated that (A) such Holder was prohibited by applicable law or
Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or (B) such
Holder may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer
to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or
available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) that such Holder is a
Broker-Dealer and holds Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of
its Affiliates, then the Company and the Guarantors shall:
(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement) the ("SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), relating to
all Transfer Restricted Securities, on or prior to 30 days after the
earlier of (1) the date on which the Company determines that the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i)
above, (2) the date on which the Company receives notice specified in
clause (a)(ii) above, and (3) the 60th day after the Closing Date (such
earlier date, the "FILING DEADLINE"); and
(y) shall use their respective best efforts to cause such Shelf
Registration Statement to become effective on or prior to the 90th day
after the Filing Deadline (such 90th day the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and other securities required to
be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company and
the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to keep such Shelf
Registration Statement required by this Section 4(e) continuously effective,
supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity 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 two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(d) hereof) following
the Closing Date or such shorter period as will terminate where all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant thereto.
(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, the information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation
S-K, as applicable, of the Act for use in connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included
therein. 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 information. Each
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Selling Holder 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 applicable Filing Deadline, (ii)
any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation
Deadline 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 immediately declared effective (each
such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "REGISTRATION
DEFAULT"), then the Company and the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally
agree to pay liquidated damages to each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities for the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence
of such Registration Default, in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000
in 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 $.30 per week per
$1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; PROVIDED that
the Company and the Guarantors shall in no event be required to pay
liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled thereto,
in the manner provided for the payment of interest, on each Interest Payment
Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the Notes.
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.
Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated
damages are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations
of the Company and the Guarantors to pay liquidated damages with respect to
securities shall survive until such time as such obligations with respect to
such securities 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 and the Guarantors shall (x) comply with all of
the provisions of Section 6(c) below, (y) use their respective best efforts
to effect such exchange and to permit the resale of Exchange Notes by
Broker-Dealers that tendered in the Exchange Offer Notes that such
Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of its market making
activities as other trading activities (other than Notes acquired directly
from the Company or any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all
of the following provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been announced a change
in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the Exchange
Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company raises a
substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by
applicable federal law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek a
no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the
Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer
Restricted Securities. The Company and the Guarantors each hereby agrees to
pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level. In
connection with the foregoing, the Company and the Guarantors each hereby
agrees, to take all such other actions as may be requested by the Commission
or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such decision,
including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic conferences with
the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an analysis prepared
by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which
such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted
and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need not be favorable) by the
Commission staff.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer,
each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
any Holder who is a Broker-Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
representation to the Company and the Guarantors (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 Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C)
it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business. Each
Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the
Exchange Notes shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of
Exchange Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange for Notes acquired by such
Holder directly from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (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 (including, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), 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 should be covered by an effective registration
statement
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containing the selling security holder information required by Item
507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall provide a supplemental
letter to the Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Guarantors are
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) as interpreted in the
Commission's letter to SHEARMAN & STERLING, dated July 2, 1993, and, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B)
including a representation that neither the Company nor any Guarantor has
entered into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute
the Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the
best of the Company's and each Guarantor's information and belief, each
Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Exchange Notes
in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding
with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes
received in the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking or
representation required by the Commission as set forth in any no-action
letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if applicable.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall: (i) comply with
all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and shall use their best 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
and the Guarantors will prepare and file 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 and (ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser
of Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, Exchange Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Notes sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the Company shall
register Exchange Notes on the Shelf Registration Statement for this purpose
and issue the Exchange Notes to the purchasers of securities subject to the
Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such purchasers shall designate.
(c) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company and the
Guarantors shall:
(i) use their respective best efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial
statements (including, if required by the Act or any regulation thereunder,
financial statements of the Guarantors) 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 an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state
any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
(B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities during the period required by this Agreement,
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the Company and the Guarantors shall file promptly an appropriate amendment
to such Registration Statement, curing such defect, and if Commission review
is required, use their respective best efforts to cause such amendment to be
declared effective as soon as practicable;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary
to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set
forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be; 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 fully with the
applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Act in a timely manner;
and comply 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 underwriters, if any, and each selling Holder
promptly and, if requested by such Holder, 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, and
(D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any
statement of a material fact made in the 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 or the Prospectus 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
and the Guarantors shall use their respective best efforts to obtain the
withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;
(iv) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters,
if any, in connection with such exchange or 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 review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s),
if any, 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
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or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all
such documents incorporated by reference) to which such Holders or the
underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object within five business days after
the receipt thereof. A 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 an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
fails to comply 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 each selling Holder and to the
underwriters, if any, in connection with such exchange or sale, if any, make
the Company's and the Guarantor'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 Holders or
underwriters, if any, reasonably may request;
(vi) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each
selling Holder, any underwriter, if any, participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant
retained by such Holders or any of the underwriters, all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and the
Guarantors and cause the Company's and the Guarantors' 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;
(vii) if requested by any Holders or the underwriters, if any, in
connection with such exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment
if necessary, such information as such Holders and underwriters, if any, may
reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation,
information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted
Securities; 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) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if
so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Notes covered thereby or the underwriters, if any;
(ix) furnish to each selling Holder (and upon request, any Holder)
and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with such exchange or
sale, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as
first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all
documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including
exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
(x) deliver to each Holder and each of the underwriters, if any,
without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary
prospectus) and any amendment
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or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company
and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use (in accordance with law) of the
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder and
each underwriter, 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;
(xi) upon the request of any selling Holder, enter into such
agreements (including underwriting agreements), 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 requested by any Initial Purchaser
or by any selling Holder in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to
any Registration Statement. In such connection, the Company and the
Guarantors shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish to each Initial Purchaser,
each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and
scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the Consummation of
the Exchange Offer or upon, the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement, as the case may be:
(1) a certificate, dated such date signed on behalf of the
Company and each Guarantor by (x) the President or any Vice President
and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company and
such Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set
forth in Sections 6(hh), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase Agreement and
such other matters as such parties 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 and the
Guarantors, covering the matters similar to those set forth in
paragraphs (e), (f) and (g) of Section 9 of the Purchase Agreement and
such other matter as such parties 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 and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent
public accountants for the Company, the Initial Purchasers'
representatives and the Initial Purchasers' counsel in connection with
the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related
Prospectus 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 the extent such
counsel deems appropriate upon the statements of officers and other
representatives of the Company and the Guarantors and without
independent check or verification), no facts che extent such counsel
deems appropriate upon the statements of officers and other
representatives of the Company and the Guarantors 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 Registratiained 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
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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
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness
of the Shelf Registration Statement, 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 9(i) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;
and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with the
matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions
contained in any agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company
and the Guarantors pursuant to this clause (xi), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and the
Guarantors contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and correct,
the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the
underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested
by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
cooperate with, the selling Holders, the underwriters, 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 underwriters 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
neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall 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;
(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Notes covered
by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Notes, having an aggregate
principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Notes
surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold
by such Holder; such Exchange Notes to be registered in the name of such
Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Notes or Exchange
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Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Notes held by such Holder shall be
surrendered to the Company for cancellation;
(xiv) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities
that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the Holders and the underwriters, 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 in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters,
if any, may request at least two business days prior to any such sale of
Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xv) use their respective best 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 or
the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;
(xvi) 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, not misleading;
(xvii) provide a CUSIP number 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 Depositary Trust
Company;
(xviii) 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 their respective reasonable best 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;
(xix) otherwise use their respective best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders with regard to any Registration Statement,
as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the
requirements of Rule 158 (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;
(xx) 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
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therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders 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 its best 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;
(xxi) cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange on which
similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes or the managing
underwriters, if any; and
(xxii) 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.
(d) RESTRICTIONS ON HOLDERS. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of
a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referenced to
in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) or any notice from the Company of the existence of
any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case,
a "SUSPENSION NOTICE"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration
Statement until (i) such Holder received copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or (ii) such
Holder 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 (in each case,
the "RECOMMENCEMENT DATE"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby
agrees that it will either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent
file copies then in such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the
Company with more recently dated Prospectuses, or (ii) 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
such Suspension 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 a number of days equal to the number of days in the
period from and including the date of delivery of the Suspension Notice to
the date of the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's and the Guarantors'
performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company
or the Guarantors, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes
effective, including without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees
and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with
the NASD (and, if applicable, the 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 fees and expenses of compliance with
federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all expenses
of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Notes to be
issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger
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and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b), the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing
fees in connection with listing Exchange Notes on a national securities
exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof;
and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public
accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any
special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such
performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its and the Guarantors' 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 or the Guarantors.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the
Guarantors will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities who are tendering Notes in the Exchange Offer and/or
selling or reselling Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the
Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Paul, Hastings,
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP, unless another firm 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 and each Guarantors agree, jointly and severally, to
indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who
controls such Holder (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, from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions
and expenses (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses
incurred in connection with, investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending
any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental
agency or body, commenced or threatened, including any action that could give
rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) 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), provided by the
Company to any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Exchange Notes or
registered Notes or caused by 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, judgments, actions or expenses are caused by an untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is based
upon information relating to such Holder furnished in writing to the Company
by such Holder.
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(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and
not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors,
and their respective directors and officers, and each person, if any, who
controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act) the Company or the Guarantors, to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Section
8(a) above, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder
furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any
Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder, its directors,
officers, or any person who controls such Holder be liable or responsible for
any amount in excess of the amount by which the entire amount received by
such Holder with respect to its sale of the 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 that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b)
(the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the
person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY")
in writing and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such
action, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party and the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel,
as incurred (except that in the case of any action in respect of which
indemnity may be sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder
shall not be required to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this
Section 8(c), but may employ separate counsel and participate in the defense
thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel, except as provided below,
shall be at the expense of the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the
right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the employment of such counsel
shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party,
(ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such
action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or
(iii) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties)
include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party, and the
indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that there may be
one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such
action on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the
indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one action or separate
but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising
out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any
local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses
shall be reimbursed s they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in
writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified
pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company and Guarantors, in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall
indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments and expenses by reason of
any settlement of any action (i) effected with its written consent or (ii)
effected without its written consent if the
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settlement is entered into more than twenty business days after the
indemnifying party shall have received a request from the indemnified party
for reimbursement for the fees and expenses of counsel (in any case where
such fees and expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party) and,
prior to the date of such settlement, the indemnifying party shall have
failed to comply with such reimbursement request. No indemnifying party
shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with
respect to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity or contribution
may be or could have been sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless
such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release
of the indemnified party from all liability on claims that are or could have
been the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement
as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on
behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this Section
8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or Section 8(b)
hereof in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgements or
expenses referred to therein, then each 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, judgments or expenses (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by
clause 8(d)(i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause
8(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors,
on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other hand, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, judgments or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the
one hand, and of the 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 such
Guarantor, on the one hand, or by such Holder, on the other hand, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) 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, judgments 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 incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim including any action that could have
given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments or
expenses. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder 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
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration
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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. 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(d) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder
hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A
The Company and each Guarantor hereby agrees with each Holder, for so
long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any
period in which the Company or such Guarantor (i) is not subject to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make available, upon request of any
Holder, to such 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, and
(ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make all
filings required thereby in a timely manner in order to permit resales of
such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. PARTICIPATION IN 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 any underwriting arrangements approved by
the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes
and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under
the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 11. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted
Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering,
the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering; PROVIDED, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
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(a) REMEDIES. The Company and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree
that any failure by the Company and the Guarantors to comply with their
respective obligations under Section 3 and 4 hereof may result in material
irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or Holders for which there is no
adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for
such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any of such failure, the
Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to
specifically enforce the Company's and the Guarantor's obligations under
Section 3 and 4 hereof. The Company and the Guarantors further agree to
waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law
would be adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor
will, 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.
Neither the Company nor any Guarantor has 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 and the Guarantor's securities under any agreement in effect
on the date hereof.
(c) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING THE NOTES OR EXCHANGE NOTES. The Company
will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the
Notes or the Exchange 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 (excluding Transfer Restricted
Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose Transfer Restricted
Securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does
not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose Transfer
Restricted 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) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand,
and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent
they may deem such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights
or the rights of Holders hereunder.
(f) 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:
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(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 or the Guarantors:
EchoStar DBS Corporation
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
With a copy to:
Winthrop, Stimson, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Telecopier No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
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.
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.
(g) 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; PROVIDED, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit
any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted
Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or
the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer
Restricted Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or
otherwise, such Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all
of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer
Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed
to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement
and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled
to receive the benefits hereof.
(h) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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(i) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(j) 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
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(k) 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.
(l) 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.
ECHOSTAR DBS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
DIRECT BROADCASTING SATELLITE
CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSTAR SATELLITE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
-22-
ECHOSTAR SATELLITE BROADCASTING CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
DISH, LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
DIRECTSAT CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHO ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSPHERE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
-23-
DISH INSTALLATION NETWORK
CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
HT VENTURES, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSTAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
SATELLITE SOURCE, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
HOUSTON TRACKER SYSTEMS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
-24-
General Counsel and Secretary
-00-
XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
SKY VISTA CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSTAR INDONESIA, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
ECHOSTAR SPACE CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Xxxxxxxxx
-00-
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
BEAR, XXXXXXX & CO. INC.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
NATIONSBANC XXXXXXXXXX SECURITIES LLC
ING BARING XXXXXX XXXX LLC
CIBC XXXXXXXXXXX CORP.
By: XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ J. Xxxxx Xxxx
-------------------------------------------
Name: J. Xxxxx Xxxx
Title: Vice President
-27-
SCHEDULE A
Direct Broadcasting Satellite Corporation,
EchoStar Satellite Corporation,
EchoStar Technologies Corporation,
Echosphere Corporation,
EchoStar International Corporation,
DirectSat Corporation
Echo Acceptance Corporation
Dish Installation Network Corporation
HT Ventures, Inc.
Satellite Source, Inc.
Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.
EchoStar North America Corporation
Sky Vista Corporation
EchoStar Indonesia, Inc.
EchoStar Satellite Broadcasting Corporation
Dish, Ltd.
EchoStar Space Corporation
-28-
