Exhibit 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of June 19, 2003, among XXXXXX CABLE INC., a corporation
organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario (the "Company"), and
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC., X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC., XXXXXX XXXXXXX &
CO. INCORPORATED, RBC DOMINION SECURITIES CORPORATION, SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA)
INC., TD SECURITIES (USA) INC., CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP., BMO XXXXXXX XXXXX
CORP. and XX XXXXX SECURITIES CORPORATION (collectively, the "Initial
Purchasers").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated June
16, 2003 among the Company and the Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase
Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial
Purchasers of an aggregate of U.S.$350,000,000 principal amount of the Company's
6.25% Senior (Secured) Second Priority Notes due 2013 (the "Initial
Securities"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers
and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in
this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing
under the Purchase Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized defined terms shall have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
"Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Time as defined in the
Purchase Agreement.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and also
includes the Company's successors.
"day" or "days" shall mean calendar days.
"Depositary" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any other
depositary appointed by the Company; provided, however, that such
depositary must have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, in the City
of New York.
"Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company of
Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the
1933 Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form F-4 (or, if applicable, on another
appropriate form), and all amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all
exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Exchange Securities" shall mean the 6.25% Senior (Secured) Second
Priority Notes due 2013 issued by the Company under the Indenture
containing terms identical to, and evidencing the same indebtedness as,
the Initial Securities (except that (i) interest thereon shall accrue from
the last date on which interest was paid on the Initial Securities or, if
no such interest has been paid, from the date of their original issue,
(ii) the transfer restrictions thereon shall be eliminated and (iii)
certain provisions relating to an increase in the stated rate of interest
thereon shall be eliminated), to be offered to Holders of Initial
Securities in exchange for Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer.
"Holders" shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own
any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and
direct and indirect transferees who become registered owners of
Registrable Securities under the Indenture.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Initial
Securities and the Exchange Securities dated as of June 19, 2003 between
the Company and the Trustee, as the same may be amended from time to time
in accordance with the terms thereof.
"Initial Purchasers" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
"Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities; provided
that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage
of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities
held by the Company shall be disregarded in determining whether such
consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage
or amount.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, trust
or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus
as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a
prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration
Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to a prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all
material incorporated by reference therein.
"Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
preamble.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Initial Securities;
provided, however, that the Initial Securities shall cease to be
Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement with respect to
such Initial Securities shall have been declared effective under
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the 1933 Act and such Initial Securities shall have been disposed of
pursuant to such Registration Statement, (ii) such Initial Securities
shall have been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar
provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the 1933 Act, (iii) such
Initial Securities shall have ceased to be outstanding or (iv) such
Initial Securities have been exchanged for Exchange Securities upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company with this Agreement, including
without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") registration and filing fees, (ii) all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state
securities or blue sky laws and compliance with the rules of the NASD
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any
underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any
of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses
of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing,
printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any
amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities
sales agreements and other documents relating to the performance of and
compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the listing, if any, of any of
the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange or exchanges, (vi)
the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the
independent public accountants of the Company, including the expenses of
any special audits or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident to
such performance and compliance, (vii) the fees and expenses of the
Trustee, and any escrow agent or custodian, and (viii) any fees and
disbursements of the underwriters customarily required to be paid by
issuers or sellers of securities and the reasonable fees and expenses of
any special experts retained by the Company in connection with any
Registration Statement, but excluding fees of counsel to the underwriters
or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer
taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a Holder.
"Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of
the Company which covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all
amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration under the 1933 Act
effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2(b) of
this Agreement which covers all of the Registrable Securities on an
appropriate form under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, or any similar rule
that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements
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to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in
each case including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto
and all material incorporated by reference therein.
"Trustee" shall mean JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee, with respect
to the Initial Securities under the Indenture.
2. Registration Under the 1933 Act. (a) Exchange Offer Registration.
To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretation
of the Staff of the SEC, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts (A) to file within 120 days after the Closing Date an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement covering the offer by the Company to the Holders to
exchange all of the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities, (B) to cause
such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC
within 180 days after the Closing Date, (C) to cause such Registration Statement
to remain effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer and (D) to
consummate the Exchange Offer within 210 days following the Closing Date. The
Exchange Securities will be issued under the Indenture. Upon the effectiveness
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly
commence the Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Exchange Offer to
enable each Holder (other than Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined in
Section 3(f))) eligible and electing to exchange Registrable Securities for
Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, acquires the Exchange
Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and has no
arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the Exchange
Offer for the purpose of distributing the Exchange Securities) to trade such
Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or
restrictions under the 1933 Act and without material restrictions under the
securities laws of a substantial proportion of the several states of the United
States.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company shall:
(i) mail to each Holder a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter
of transmittal and related documents;
(ii) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days after
the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if required by
applicable law);
(iii) use the services of the Depositary for the Exchange Offer;
(iv) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Registrable Securities at
any time prior to the close of business, New York City time, on the last
business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open, by sending to
the institution specified in the notice, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable
Securities delivered for exchange, and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Initial Securities exchanged; and
(v) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws
relating to the Exchange Offer.
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As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer, the
Company shall:
(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities duly tendered and not
validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the letter of
transmittal which is an exhibit thereto;
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for
cancellation all Registrable Securities so accepted for exchange by the
Company; and
(iii) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver
Exchange Securities to each Holder of Registrable Securities equal in
amount to the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for
exchange.
Interest on each Exchange Security will accrue from the last date on
which interest was paid on the Registrable Securities surrendered in exchange
therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Registrable Securities, from
the date of its original issue. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any
conditions, other than (i) that the Exchange Offer, or the making of any
exchange by a Holder, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the Staff of the SEC, (ii) the due tendering of Registrable
Securities in accordance with the Exchange Offer, (iii) that no action or
proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by or before
any governmental agency with respect to the Exchange Offer which, in the
Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the
Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer, (iv) that there shall not have been
adopted or enacted any law, statute, rule or regulation which, in the Company's
judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Company to
proceed with the Exchange Offer, (v) that there shall not have been declared by
U.S. federal, New York State or Canadian federal authorities a banking
moratorium which, in the Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to
impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer, (vi) that
trading generally in the United States or Canadian over-the-counter market shall
not have been suspended by order of the SEC, any securities commission or
securities regulatory authority in Canada or any other governmental authority,
which, in the Company's judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair the
ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer and (vii) that each
Holder of Registrable Securities (other than Participating Broker-Dealers) who
wishes to exchange such Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities in the
Exchange Offer shall have represented that (A) it is not an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, (B) any Exchange
Securities to be received by it were acquired in the ordinary course of business
and (C) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution (within the
meaning of the 0000 Xxx) of the Exchange Securities and shall have made such
other representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules,
regulations or interpretations to render the use of Form F-4 or another
appropriate form under the 1933 Act available; provided, however, that none of
the foregoing conditions shall relieve the Company of its obligations under this
Agreement or effect any increase in the interest rate borne by the Initial
Securities pursuant to this Agreement. To the extent permitted by law, the
Company shall inform the Initial Purchasers of the names and addresses of the
Holders to whom the Exchange Offer is made, and the Initial Purchasers shall
have the right to contact such Holders and otherwise facilitate the tender of
Registrable Securities in the Exchange Offer.
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For greater certainty, the Company's obligation to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to make the Exchange Offer hereunder terminates
at the close of business on the 210th day following the Closing Date.
(b) Shelf Registration. (i) If, because of any change in law or
applicable interpretations thereof by the Staff of the SEC, the Company is not
permitted to effect the Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof,
or (ii) if for any other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
declared effective within 180 days after the Closing Date or the Exchange Offer
is not consummated within 210 days after the Closing Date, or (iii) upon the
request of any Initial Purchaser (with respect to any Registrable Securities
which it acquired directly from the Company) following the consummation of the
Exchange Offer if such Initial Purchaser shall hold Registrable Securities which
it acquired directly from the Company and if such Initial Purchaser is not
permitted, in the opinion of counsel to the Initial Purchasers, pursuant to
applicable law or applicable interpretation of the Staff of the SEC to
participate in the Exchange Offer or (iv) if any Holder, other than an Initial
Purchaser, is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer or does not
receive freely tradeable Exchange Securities following the consummation of the
Exchange Offer other than by reason of such Holder being an affiliate of the
Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, the Company shall, at
its cost:
(A) use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as
practicable, file with the SEC a Shelf Registration Statement relating to
the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders from time
to time in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the
Majority Holders of such Registrable Securities and set forth in such
Shelf Registration Statement, and use its commercially reasonable efforts
to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the
SEC by the 210th day after the Closing Date (or promptly in the event of a
request by any Initial Purchaser pursuant to clause (iii) or in the
circumstances of clause (iv) above). In the event that the Company is
required to file a Shelf Registration Statement upon the request of any
Initial Purchaser pursuant to clause (iii) or in the circumstances of
clause (iv) above, the Company shall file and have declared effective by
the SEC both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section
2(a) with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration
Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of
Registrable Securities held by such Holder or any Initial Purchaser after
completion of the Exchange Offer;
(B) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the
Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of
two years from the date the Shelf Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC (or one year from the date the Shelf Registration
Statement is declared effective if such Shelf Registration Statement is
filed upon the request of any Initial Purchaser pursuant to clause (iii)
above) or such shorter period which will terminate when all of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have
been sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement; and
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(C) notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, use its best
efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any
supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the 1933 Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective,
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading and (iii) any Prospectus forming part of any Shelf
Registration Statement, and any supplement to such Prospectus (as amended
or supplemented from time to time), does not include an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to
make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
The Company further agrees, if necessary, to supplement or amend the
Shelf Registration Statement if reasonably requested by the Majority Holders
with respect to information relating to the Holders and otherwise as required by
Section 3(b) below, to use all reasonable efforts to cause any such amendment to
become effective and such Shelf Registration to become usable as soon as
thereafter practicable and to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities
copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or
filed with the SEC.
(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b) and, in the
case of any Shelf Registration Statement, will reimburse the Holders or Initial
Purchasers for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm or counsel
designated in writing by the Majority Holders to act as counsel for the Holders
of the Registrable Securities in connection therewith, and, in the case of an
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers, as
applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection
therewith. Each Holder shall pay all expenses of its counsel other than as set
forth in the preceding sentence, underwriting discounts and commissions and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
(d) Effective Registration Statement. (i) The Company will be deemed
not to have used its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, to become, or to
remain, effective during the requisite period if the Company voluntarily takes
any action that would result in any such Registration Statement not being
declared effective or in the Holders of Registrable Securities covered thereby
not being able to exchange or offer and sell such Registrable Securities during
that period unless (A) such action is required by applicable law or (B) such
action is taken by the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons (not
including avoidance of the Company's obligations hereunder), including the
acquisition or divestiture of assets, so long as the Company promptly complies
with the requirements of Section 3(k) hereof, if applicable.
(ii) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section
2(a) hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b)
hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been
declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that if, after it has
been declared effective, the offering of Registrable Securities pursuant
to a Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or
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other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or
court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been
effective during the period of such interference, until the offering of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally
resume.
(e) Increase in Interest Rate. In the event that (i) neither the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement is
filed with the Commission on or prior to the 120th day after the Closing Date,
(ii) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor a Shelf Registration
Statement is declared effective on or prior to the 180th day after the Closing
Date or (iii) neither the Exchange Offer has been consummated nor a Shelf
Registration Statement declared effective on or prior to the 210th day after the
Closing Date, the interest rate borne by the Initial Securities shall be
increased by 0.25% per annum following such 120-day period in the case of clause
(i) above, such 180-day period in the case of clause (ii) above, or such 210-day
period in the case of clause (iii) above; provided that the aggregate increase
in such interest rate will in no event exceed 0.25% per annum. Upon (x) the
filing of either the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, after the 120-day period described
in clause (i) above, (y) the effectiveness of either the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be,
after the 180-day period described in clause (ii) above or (z) the consummation
of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, after the 210-day period described in clause (iii) above, the
interest rate borne by the Initial Securities from the date of such filing,
effectiveness or consummation, as the case may be, will be reduced to the
original interest rate.
(f) Specific Enforcement. Without limiting the remedies available to
the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Company acknowledges that any
failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial
Purchasers or the 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 such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain
such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations
under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.
3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of
the Company with respect to the Registration Statements pursuant to Sections
2(a) and 2(b) hereof, the Company shall:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, within
the time period specified in Section 2, on the appropriate form under the 1933
Act, which form (i) shall be selected by the Company, (ii) shall, in the case of
a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by
the selling Holders thereof and (iii) shall comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include or incorporate
by reference all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith,
and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective in accordance with Section 2 hereof;
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(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary under applicable
law to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period;
cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement,
and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act; and
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable
period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the
selling Holders thereof;
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, (i) notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities, at least five days prior to filing, that a Shelf
Registration Statement with respect to the Registrable Securities is being filed
and advising such Holders that the distribution of Registrable Securities will
be made in accordance with the method elected by the Majority Holders; and (ii)
furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial
Purchasers, to counsel for the Holders and to each underwriter of an
underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many
copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any
amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as such Holder or
underwriter may reasonably request, including financial statements and schedules
and, if the Holder so requests, all exhibits (including those incorporated by
reference) in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the
Registrable Securities; and (iii) subject to the last paragraph of Section 3,
hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement
thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities in connection
with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws
of such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement and each underwriter of an underwritten offering of
Registrable Securities shall reasonably request by the time the applicable
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, to cooperate with the
Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the NASD, and do
any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable
to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of
such Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or as a
dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be
required to qualify but for this Section 3(d) or (ii) take any action which
would subject it to general service of process or taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not then so subject;
(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities and counsel for the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if
requested by such Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing promptly (i)
when a Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective
amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of any request by the
SEC or any state securities authority for post-effective amendments and
supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for additional
information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (iii) of the
issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of
any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if, between the effective date of a
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Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities
covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company contained in
any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar
agreement, if any, relating to such offering cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
such purpose, (vi) of the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts
during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is effective which makes any
statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus untrue
in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not
misleading and (vii) of any determination by the Company that a post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate;
(f) (A) in the case of the Exchange Offer, (i) include in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement a "Plan of Distribution" section covering
the use of the Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
by broker-dealers who have exchanged their Registrable Securities for Exchange
Securities for the resale of such Exchange Securities, (ii) furnish to each
broker-dealer who desires to participate in the Exchange Offer, without charge,
as many copies of each Prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any amendment or supplement
thereto, as such broker-dealer may reasonably request, (iii) include in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement a statement that any broker-dealer who
holds Registrable Securities acquired for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (a "Participating
Broker-Dealer"), and who receives Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, may be a statutory underwriter and must deliver
a prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Securities, (iv) subject to the last paragraph of
Section 3, hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto, by
any broker-dealer in connection with the sale or transfer of the Exchange
Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, and
(v) include in the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by
an exchange offeree in order to participate in the Exchange Offer (x) the
following provision:
"If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned
represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage
in, a distribution of Exchange Securities. If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own
account in exchange for Registrable Securities, it represents that
the Registrable Securities to be exchanged for Exchange Securities
were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the 1933 Act in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Securities pursuant to the Exchange
Offer; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus,
the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the 1933 Act"; and
(y) a statement to the effect that by a broker-dealer making the
acknowledgment described in subclause (x) and by delivering a Prospectus
in connection with the
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exchange of registrable Securities, the broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act; and
(B) to the extent any Participating Broker-Dealer participates in
the Exchange Offer, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
cause to be delivered at the request of an entity representing the
Participating Broker-Dealers (which entity shall be any of the Initial
Purchasers, unless it elects not to act as such representative) only one,
if any, "cold comfort" letter with respect to the Prospectus in the form
existing on the last date for which exchanges are accepted pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and with respect to each subsequent amendment or
supplement, if any, effected during the period specified in clause (C)
below; and
(C) to the extent any Participating Broker-Dealer participates in
the Exchange Offer, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
maintain the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
for a period of 180 days following the closing of the Exchange Offer; and
(D) the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as would
otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(b), or take any other action as a
result of this Section 3(f), for a period exceeding 180 days after the
closing of the Exchange Offer (as such period may be extended by the
Company) and Participating Broker-Dealers shall not be authorized by the
Company to, and shall not, deliver such Prospectus after such period in
connection with resales contemplated by this Section 3.
(g) (A) in the case of an Exchange Offer, furnish counsel for the
Initial Purchasers and (B) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish counsel
for the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any request by the SEC or
any state securities authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration
Statement and Prospectus or for additional information;
(h) make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement as soon as
practicable and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of any
such order;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without
documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless
requested);
(j) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends; and cause such Registrable Securities to be in
such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and
registered in such names as the selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, may
reasonably request at least two business days prior to the closing of any sale
of Registrable Securities;
11
(k) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any
event or the discovery of any facts, each as contemplated by Section 3(e)(vi)
hereof, use its reasonable best efforts to prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus
or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable
Securities, such Prospectus will not contain at the time of such delivery any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. The Company agrees to notify each Holder to suspend
use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an
event, and each Holder hereby agrees to suspend use of the Prospectus until the
Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement
or omission. At such time as such public disclosure is otherwise made or the
Company determines that such disclosure is not necessary, in each case to
correct any misstatement of a material fact or to include any omitted material
fact, the Company agrees promptly to notify each Holder of such determination
and to furnish each Holder such numbers of copies of the Prospectus, as amended
or supplemented, as such Holder may reasonably request;
(l) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, or
Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of
a Registration Statement, and provide the Trustee with printed certificates for
the Exchange Securities or the Registrable Securities, as the case may be, in a
form eligible for deposit with the Depositary;
(m) (i) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"), in connection with the
registration of the Exchange Securities, or Registrable Securities, as the case
may be, (ii) cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes
to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in
accordance with the terms of the TIA and (iii) execute, and use its best efforts
to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such
changes, and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to
enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into agreements
(including underwriting agreements) and take all other customary and appropriate
actions (including those reasonably requested by the Majority Holders) in order
to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and in
such connection whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and
whether or not the registration is an underwritten registration:
(i) make such representations and warranties to the Holders of such
Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance
and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in similar
underwritten offerings as may be reasonably requested by them;
(ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof
(which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities
being sold) addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any,
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in
12
sales of securities or underwritten offerings and such other matters as
may be reasonably requested by such Holders and underwriters;
(iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
Company's independent certified public accountants addressed to the
underwriters, if any, and will use best efforts to have such letters
addressed to the selling Holders of Registrable Securities, such letters
to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in "cold comfort" letters to underwriters in connection with
similar underwritten offerings;
(iv) enter into a securities sales agreement with the Holders and an
agent of the Holders providing for, among other things, the appointment of
such agent for the selling Holders for the purpose of soliciting purchases
of Registrable Securities, which agreement shall be in form, substance and
scope customary for similar offerings;
(v) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to
set forth indemnification provisions and procedures substantially
equivalent to the indemnification provisions and procedures set forth in
Section 5 hereof with respect to the underwriters and all other parties to
be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
(vi) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably
requested and as are customarily delivered in similar offerings.
The above shall be done at (i) the effectiveness of such Registration
Statement (and, if appropriate, each post-effective amendment thereto) and
(ii) each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to
the extent required thereunder. In the case of any underwritten offering,
the Company shall provide written notice to the Holders of all Registrable
Securities of such underwritten offering at least 30 days prior to the
filing of a prospectus supplement for such underwritten offering. Such
notice shall (x) offer each such Holder the right to participate in such
underwritten offering, (y) specify a date, which shall be no earlier than
10 days following the date of such notice, by which such Holder must
inform the Company of its intent to participate in such underwritten
offering and (z) include the instructions such Holder must follow in order
to participate in such underwritten offering;
(o) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for
inspection by representatives of the Holders of the Registrable Securities and
any underwriters participating in any disposition pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement and any counsel or accountant retained by such Holders or
underwriters, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company reasonably requested by any such persons, and cause
the respective officers, directors, employees, and any other agents of the
Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such
representative, underwriter, special counsel or accountant in connection with a
Registration Statement;
(p) (i) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a part thereof, any amendment to
an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a
Prospectus, provide copies of such
13
document to the Initial Purchasers, and make such changes in any such document
prior to the filing thereof as any of the Initial Purchasers or their counsel
may reasonably request; (ii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable
time prior to filing any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus forming a
part thereof, any amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or amendment or
supplement to such Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Holders of
Registrable Securities, to the Initial Purchasers, to counsel on behalf of the
Holders and to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of
Registrable Securities, if any, and make such changes in any such document prior
to the filing thereof as the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Initial
Purchasers on behalf of such Holders, their counsel and any underwriter may
reasonably request; and (iii) cause the representatives of the Company to be
available for discussion of such document as shall be reasonably requested by
the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such
Holders or any underwriter and shall not at any time make any filing of any such
document of which such Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf of such
Holders, their counsel or any underwriter shall not have previously been advised
and furnished a copy or to which such Holders, the Initial Purchasers on behalf
of such Holders, their counsel or any underwriter shall reasonably object;
(q) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be rated with the
appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Majority Holders or by the
underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten offering of Registrable
Securities, if any, unless the Registrable Securities are already so rated;
(r) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC and make available to its security holders, as
soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering at least 12
months which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and
Rule 158 thereunder; and
(s) 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 and its counsel.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may (as a
condition to such Holder's participation in the Shelf Registration) require each
Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request
in writing.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event
or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind described in Section
3(e)(ii)-(vi) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until such Holder's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 3(k) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will
deliver to the Company (at its expense) all copies in its possession, other than
permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus
covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such
notice. If the Company shall give any such notice to suspend the disposition of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement as a result of
the happening of any event or the discovery of any facts, each of the kind
described in Section
14
3(e)(vi) hereof, the Company shall be deemed to have used its commercially
reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during
such period of suspension provided that the Company shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to file and have declared effective (if an amendment) as soon
as practicable an amendment or supplement to the Shelf Registration Statement
and shall extend the period during which the Registration Statement shall be
maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the
period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including
the date when the Holders shall have received copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions.
4. Underwritten Registrations. If any of the Registrable Securities
covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering,
the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
manage the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of such Registrable
Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company.
No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any
underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such
Holder's Registrable 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 questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required
under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
5. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company shall indemnify
and hold harmless each of the Initial Purchasers, each Holder, including
Participating Broker-Dealers, each underwriter who participates in an offering
of Registrable Securities, their respective affiliates, and the respective
directors, officers, employees, agents and each Person, if any, who controls any
of such parties within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20
of the 1934 Act as follows:
(i) against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto) pursuant to which Exchange Securities
or Registrable Securities were registered under the 1933 Act, including
all documents incorporated therein by reference, or the omission or
alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(ii) against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages and
expenses whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount
paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by
any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim
whatsoever based upon any such untrue
15
statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission,
if such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company;
and
(iii) against any and all expenses whatsoever, as incurred
(including fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by any indemnified
party), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending
against any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any court or
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense
is not paid under subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section 5(a);
provided, however, that this indemnity does not apply to any loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of an untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Initial
Purchasers, any Holder, including Participating Broker-Dealers or any
underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).
(b) In the case of a Shelf Registration, each Holder agrees,
severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each
Initial Purchaser, each underwriter who participates in an offering of
Registrable Securities and the other selling Holders and each of their
respective directors and officers (including each officer of the Company who
signed the Registration Statement) and each Person, if any, who controls the
Company, any Initial Purchaser, any underwriter or any other selling Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any and all losses,
liabilities, claims, damages and expenses described in the indemnity contained
in Section 5(a) hereof, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements
or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Holder, as the case may be,
expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or
the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); provided, however, that
no such Holder shall be liable for any claims hereunder in excess of the amount
of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to each
indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying
party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may
have other than on account of this indemnity agreement. An indemnifying party
may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action. In no event
shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one
action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.
(d) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which any of the indemnity provisions set forth in this Section
5 are for any reason held to be
16
unenforceable by the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with
its terms, the Company, the Initial Purchasers and the Holders shall contribute
to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature
contemplated by such indemnity agreement incurred by the Company, the Initial
Purchasers and the Holders, as incurred; provided, however, that no person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the 0000 Xxx) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person that was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. As between the Company, the Initial
Purchasers and the Holders, such parties shall contribute to such aggregate
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by
such indemnity agreement in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect
(i) the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand, the Initial
Purchasers on another hand, and the Holders on another hand, from the offering
of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities included in such offering,
and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the one hand, the Initial
Purchasers on another hand, and the Holders on another hand, with respect to the
statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The Company, the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of the
Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were to be determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the relevant equitable considerations. For purposes of this Section 5, each
affiliate of any Initial Purchaser or a Holder, and each director, officer,
employee, agent and Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser or a
Holder or such affiliate within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Initial Purchasers or such Holder, and each director of the Company, each
officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each Person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as
the Company. The parties hereto agree that any underwriting discount or
commission or reimbursement of fees paid to the Initial Purchaser pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement shall not be deemed to be a benefit received by the
Initial Purchaser in connection with the offering of the Exchange Securities or
Registrable Securities included in such offering.
6. Miscellaneous. (a) Rule 144 and Rule 144A. For so long as the
Company is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15 of the 1934
Act, the Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by
it under the 1933 Act and Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules
and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder, that if it ceases to be so
required to file such reports, it will upon the request of any Holder of
Registrable Securities (i) make publicly available such information as is
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, (ii) deliver
such information to a prospective purchaser as is necessary to permit sales
pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and it will take such further action as
any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, and (iii) take such
further action that is reasonable in the circumstances, in each case, to the
extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell its Registrable
Securities without registration under the 1933 Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (x) Rule 144 under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, (y) Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or (z) any similar rules or regulations hereafter
adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable
17
Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to
whether it has complied with such requirements.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered into nor
will the Company on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement
that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable
Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
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
other issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given unless the Company has obtained the written consent of Holders
of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement,
waiver or departure; provided, however, that no amendment, modification,
supplement or waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section
5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities
unless consented to in writing by such Holder.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to
the Company by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 6(d), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial
Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ii) if to the
Company, initially at the Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement
and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6(d).
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 answered back, if telexed; when receipt is 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.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees 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 Registrable
Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the
Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities,
in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Registrable Securities, such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
18
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.
(f) Third Party Beneficiary. Each Initial Purchaser shall be a third
party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the
one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.
(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.
(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) Agent for Service; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of
Immunities. By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company (i)
acknowledges that it has, by separate written instrument, irrevocably designated
and appointed CT Corporation System ("CT Corporation"), 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (and any successor entity), as its authorized
agent upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding arising out of
or relating to this Agreement that may be instituted in any federal or state
court in the State of New York or brought under federal or state securities law,
and acknowledges that CT Corporation has accepted such designation, (ii) submits
to the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding, and (iii)
agrees that service of process upon CT Corporation and written notice of said
service to the Company (mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal
office in Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, attention: Vice-President, Treasurer, with a
copy to the Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary), shall be deemed in
every respect effective service of process upon the Company in any such suit or
proceeding. The Company further agrees to take any and all action, including the
execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments, as may be
necessary to continue such designation and appointment of CT Corporation in full
force and effect so long as any of the Initial Securities shall be outstanding.
To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may acquire any
immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether
through service of notice, attachment
19
prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with
respect to itself or its property, it hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in
respect of its obligations under the above-referenced documents, to the extent
permitted by law.
----------------------------
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
XXXXXX CABLE INC.
By /s/ M. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
-------------------------------------------
Name: M. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Title: Vice-President, Treasurer
By /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
-------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Vice-President
CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXX & CO. INCORPORATED
RBC DOMINION SECURITIES CORPORATION
SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC.
TD SECURITIES (USA) INC.
CIBC WORLD MARKETS CORP.
BMO XXXXXXX XXXXX CORP.
XX XXXXX SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
By /s/ J. Xxxxxx Xxxxx
-----------------------------
Authorized Signatory
On behalf of itself and the other Initial Purchasers.
21
CONFORMED COPY
Registration Rights Agreement
Dated as of June 19, 2003
among
Xxxxxx Cable Inc.
and
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
RBC Dominion Securities Corporation
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
TD Securities (USA) Inc.
CIBC World Markets Corp.
BMO Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Corp.
XX Xxxxx Securities Corporation
