EXHIBIT 4.2
4 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2004
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 15, 1997
by and among
HALTER MARINE GROUP, INC.
as the Company
and
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
and
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX
& XXXXX INCORPORATED
as Purchasers
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement is made and entered into as of
September 15, 1997, by and among Halter Marine Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx Securities
Corporation and Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated (the
"Purchasers").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated
September 9, 1997, among the Company and the Purchasers (the "Purchase
Agreement"). In order to induce the Purchasers to enter into the Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights provided
for in this Agreement to the Purchasers and their respective direct and indirect
transferees. The execution of this Agreement is a condition to the closing of
the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions
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As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Affiliate: of any specified person shall mean any other person
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directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any person, means the power to direct the
management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
"affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
Agreement: This Registration Rights Agreement, as the same may be
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amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms
hereof.
Business Day: Each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
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that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Closing Date: The Closing Date as defined in the Purchase Agreement.
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Common Stock: Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the Company.
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Company: Halter Marine Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any
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successor corporation thereto.
controlling person: As defined in Section 6(a) hereof.
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Damage Payment Date: Each of the semi-annual interest payment dates
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provided in the Indenture.
Effectiveness Period: As defined in Section 2(a) hereof.
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Effectiveness Target Date: The 180th day following the Closing Date.
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Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
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the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Filing Date: The 90th day after the Closing Date.
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Holder: Each registered holder of any Transfer Restricted Securities.
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Indemnified Person: As defined in Section 6(a) hereof.
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Indenture: The Indenture, dated the date hereof, between the Company
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and the Trustee thereunder, pursuant to which the Notes are being issued, as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof.
Liquidated Damages: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
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Notes: The 4 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 of the
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Company issued pursuant to the Indenture (including any such Notes issued
pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option provided in the Purchase
Agreement).
Proceeding: An action, claim, suit or proceeding (including, without
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limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition),
whether commenced or threatened.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
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(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated pursuant to the Securities
Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to
the terms of the offering of any portion of the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements
to any such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference, if any, in
such prospectus.
Purchasers: As defined in the preamble hereof.
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Registration Default: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
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Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
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that covers any of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to
such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective
amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or
deemed to be incorporated by reference, if any, in such registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
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Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the
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Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
Rule 158: Rule 158 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
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Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
Rule 174: Rule 174 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
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Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
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Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
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Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
Rule 424: Rule 424 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
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Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
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and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
Shelf Registration: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
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Special Counsel: Any special counsel to the holders of Transfer
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Restricted Securities, for which holders of Transfer Restricted Securities will
be reimbursed pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
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Transfer Restricted Securities: The Notes and the shares of Common
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Stock into which the Notes are convertible, upon original issuance thereof, and
at all times subsequent thereto, until, in the case of any such Note or share,
(i) the date on which it has been registered effectively pursuant to the
Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement
relating to it, (ii) the date on which either such Note or the shares of Common
Stock issued upon conversion of such Note are distributed to the public pursuant
to Rule 144 or are saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) or (iii) the date on which
it ceases to be outstanding.
Trustee: U.S. Trust Company of Texas, N.A., the trustee under the
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Indenture.
underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
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connection with which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public pursuant to an effective Registration Statement.
2. Shelf Registration
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(a) The Company agrees to file with the SEC as soon as practicable
after the Closing Date, but in no event later than the Filing Date, a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Transfer Restricted Securities (the "Shelf
Registration"). The Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act or another appropriate form permitting registration of such
Transfer Restricted Securities for resale by the Holders in the manner or
manners reasonably designated by them (including, without limitation, one or
more underwritten offerings). The Company shall use all reasonable efforts, as
described in Section 4, to cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective
pursuant to the Securities Act as promptly as practicable following the filing
thereof, but in no event later than the Effectiveness Target Date, and to keep
the Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act for 24
months after the latest date of initial issuance of the Notes (the
"Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter period ending when either (1) all
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration have been sold
in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Shelf Registration or (2)
there cease to be outstanding any Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b) The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration continuously effective, for the period described in Section 2(a)
hereof, by supplementing and amending the Shelf Registration if required by the
rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for
such Shelf Registration,
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if required by the Securities Act or if reasonably requested by the holders of a
majority in amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully
converted basis) covered by such Registration Statement or by any under writer
of such Transfer Restricted Securities.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2, but
subject to compliance with Section 3, the Company may, by delivering written
notice to the Holders, prohibit offers and sales of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration at any time if (A)(i) the Company
is in possession of material non-public information relating to the Company,
(ii) the Company determines (based on advice of counsel) that such prohibition
is necessary in order to avoid a requirement to disclose such material non-
public information to the public and (iii) the Company determines in good faith
that public disclosure of such material non-public information would not be in
the best interests of the Company and its stockholders or (B)(i) the Company has
made a public announcement relating to an acquisition or business combination
transaction including the Company and/or one or more of its subsidiaries that is
material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and (ii) the
Company determines in good faith that (x) offers and sales of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration prior to the
consummation of such transaction (or such earlier date as the Company shall
determine) is not in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders or
(y) it would be impracticable at the time to obtain any financial statements
relating to such acquisition or business combination transaction that would be
required to be set forth in the Shelf Registration; provided, however, that upon
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(i) the public disclosure by the Company of the material non-public information
described in clause (A) of this paragraph or (ii) the consummation, abandonment
or termination of, or the availability of the required financial statements with
respect to, a transaction described in clause (B) of this paragraph, the
suspension of the use of the Shelf Registration pursuant to this Section 2(c)
shall cease and the Company shall promptly comply with Section 4(b) hereof and
notify Holders that dispositions of Transfer Restricted Securities may be
resumed.
3. Liquidated Damages
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(a) The Company and the Purchasers agree that the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities will suffer damages if the Company fails to
fulfill its obligations pursuant to Sections 2 and 4(b) hereof and that it would
not be possible to ascertain the extent of such damages. Accordingly, in the
event of such failure by the Company to fulfill such obligations, the Company
hereby agrees to pay liquidated damages ("Liquidated Damages") to each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities under the circumstances and to the extent set
forth below.
If (i) the Shelf Registration has not been filed with the SEC on or
prior to the Filing Date; or (ii) the Shelf Registration is not declared
effective by the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Target Date; or (iii) the
Shelf Registration has been declared effective by the SEC and such Shelf
Registration ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases
to be usable (including as a result of a prohibition against sales of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof or a suspension of the use
of the Prospectus as described in the last paragraph of Section 4 hereof) at any
time during the Effectiveness Period for a period of time which shall exceed 90
days in the aggregate during any 365-day period (any of the foregoing, a
"Registration Default"), then the Company shall pay Liquidated Damages in cash
to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities following the occurrence of
such Registration Default in an amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000
principal amount of Notes and, if applicable, $.0024 per week per share (subject
to adjustment in the event of stock splits, stock recombinations, stock
dividends and the like) of Common Stock, constituting Transfer Restricted
Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the
Registration Default continues. The amount of such Liquidated Damages will
increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes
and, if applicable, $.0024 per week per share (subject to adjustment as set
forth above) of Common Stock constituting Transfer Restricted Securities for
each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured;
provided, however, that Liquidated Damages shall not at any time exceed $.25 per
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week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes or $.0118 per week per share (subject
to adjustment as set forth above) of Common Stock constituting Transfer
Restricted Securities. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating
to any Transfer Restricted Securities, the accrual of Liquidated
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Damages with respect to such Transfer Restricted Securities will cease. A
Registration Default under clause (i) above shall be cured on the date that the
Shelf Registration is filed with the SEC; a Registration Default under clause
(ii) above shall be cured on the date that the Shelf Registration is declared
effective by the SEC; and a Registration Default under clause (iii) above shall
be cured on the date the Shelf Registration is declared effective or the
Prospectus contained therein again becomes usable.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee within one Business Day
after each and every date on which a Registration Default occurs. Liquidated
Damages shall be paid on each Payment Date by the Company to the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities as of the immediately preceding Record Date (as
defined in the Indenture) in the same manner interest is paid to Holders of
Notes pursuant to the Indenture. Each obligation to pay Liquidated Damages shall
be deemed to commence accruing on the date of the applicable Registration
Default and to cease accruing when all Registration Defaults have been cured. In
no event shall the Company pay Liquidated Damages in excess of the applicable
maximum weekly amount set forth above, regardless of whether one or multiple
Registration Defaults exist (e.g., subject to increase as set forth above for
each subsequent 90-day period, Liquidated Damages shall equal $.05 per week per
$1,000 principal amount of Notes during the first 90-day period immediately
following the occurrence of the first Registration Default regardless of whether
additional Registration Defaults occur during such 90-day period).
4. Registration Procedures
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In connection with the Company's registration obligations hereunder,
the Company shall effect such registrations on the appropriate form available
for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities to permit the sale of
Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the method or methods of
disposition thereof specified by the holders of a majority in amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (determined on a fully converted basis), and pursuant
thereto the Company shall as expeditiously as possible:
(a) No fewer than five Business Days prior to the initial filing of
a Registration Statement or Prospectus and no fewer than two Business Days prior
to the filing of any amendment or supplement thereto (other than any document
that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference),
furnish to the Holders of the Transfer Restricted Securities, their Special
Counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents
proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of such Holders,
their SpecialCounsel and such underwriters, if any, and cause the officers and
directors of the Company, counsel to the Company and independent certified
public accountants to the Company to respond to such inquiries as shall be
necessary in connection with such Registration Statement, in the opinion of
respective counsel to such Holders and such underwriters, to conduct a
reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company
shall not file any such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto (other than any document that would be
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated in the Registration Statement by
reference) to which the Holders of a majority of the Transfer Restricted
Securities (determined on a fully converted basis), their Special Counsel, or
the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object on a timely basis;
provided, that the Company may assume, for the purposes of this subparagraph
(a), that objections to the inclusion of information specifically requested to
be included in the Registration Statement by the staff of the SEC, or in the
opinion of counsel to the Company required to be in the Registration Statement,
or specifically required by the Securities Act or other applicable law, shall
not be deemed to be reasonable;
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-
effective amendments, to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep
such Registration Statement continuously effective for the applicable time
period; cause, subject to Section 2(c) hereof, the related Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by such
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Registration Statement during such period in accordance with the intended
methods of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented;
(c) Notify the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold
or their Special Counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (and in
the case of an event specified by clause (i)(A) of this paragraph, in no event
fewer than two Business Days prior to such filing), and (if requested by any
such person) confirm such notice in writing, (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment is proposed to be filed, and
(B) with respect to a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment,
when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other
Federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the
issuance by the SEC, any state securities commission, any other governmental
agency or any court of any stop order, order or injunction suspending or
enjoining the use or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the
initiation of any Proceeding for that purpose, (iv) if at any time any of the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement
(including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 4(m) hereof 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
or exemption from qualification of any of the Transfer Restricted Securities for
sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for
such purpose, and (vi) of the happening of any event that makes any statement
made in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect
or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement,
Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it
will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, not misleading, and that, in the case of the Prospectus, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(d) Use all reasonable best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if
issued, obtain the withdrawal of any order enjoining or suspending the use or
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting of any suspension of
the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable
moment;
(e) If requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the
Holders of a majority in amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities
(determined on a fully converted basis) being sold in connection with such
offering, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment such information as the managing underwriters, if any, and such
Holders agree should be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of
the Transfer Restricted Securities of such Holder in the Prospectus, and
(ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-
effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
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required to take any action pursuant to this Section 4(e) that would, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, violate applicable law;
(f) Furnish to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, their
Special Counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, without charge, at least
one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto,
including financial statements (but excluding schedules, all documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits,
unless requested in writing by such Holder, counsel or managing underwriter);
(g) Deliver to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, their
Special Counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of
the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of prospectus) and each
amendment or supplement thereto as such persons reasonably request; and the
Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
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Transfer Restricted Securities and the underwriters, if any, in connection with
the offering and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto;
(h) Prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
use all reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Holders
of Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold, the underwriters, if any, and
their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification
(or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Transfer
Restricted Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws
of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder or underwriter
reasonably requests in writing; use all reasonable efforts to keep each such
registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and use all
reasonable efforts to 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 Registration Statement; provided, however, that the
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Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would
subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is
not then so subject or subject the Company to any tax in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject;
(i) In connection with any sale or transfer of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriters,
if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold, which certificates shall
not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit
with The Depository Trust Company and to enable such Transfer Restricted
Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the
managing underwriters, if any, or Holders may request at least two Business Days
prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(j) Use all reasonable efforts to cause the offering of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities within the
United States as may require such registration or approval, except as may be
required as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder's business, in
which case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the filing
of such Registration Statement and the granting of such approvals 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; provided,
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however, that the Company shall not be required to register the Transfer
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Restricted Securities in any jurisdiction that would subject it to general
service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or
subject the Company to any tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
subject or to require the Company to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified;
(k) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section
4(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment,
including, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment, to each Registration
Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered, such Prospectus will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Transfer Restricted Securities, to provide a CUSIP number for
the Transfer Restricted Securities;
(m) Enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement
in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings) and take
all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith (including those
reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the Holders of a
majority in amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold (determined
on a fully converted basis)) in order to expedite or
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facilitate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, and, in such
connection, if an underwriting agreement is entered into (i) make such
representations and warranties to the underwriters with respect to the business
of the Company and its subsidiaries (including with respect to businesses or
assets acquired or to be acquired by any of them), and the Registration
Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as
are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and
confirm the same if and when requested; (ii) use all reasonable efforts to
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), addressed to each of the underwriters, covering
the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings
and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the underwriters;
(iii) use all reasonable efforts to obtain customary "cold comfort" letters and
updates thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company
(and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for which
financial statements and financial data is, or is required to be, included in
the Registration Statement), addressed (where reasonably possible) to each
selling Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities and each of the underwriters,
such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type
customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten
offerings; (iv) the underwriting agreement shall contain indemnification
provisions and procedures no less favorable to the selling Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities and the underwriters than those set forth in Section 6
hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a
majority in amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully
converted basis) covered by such Registration Statement and the managing
underwriters); and (v) deliver such documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the
continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause
(i) of this Section 4(m) and to evidence compliance with any customary
conditions contained in the underwriting agreement;
(n) Make available for inspection by a representative of the Holders
of not less than 50% of the Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a
fully converted basis) being sold, any underwriter participating in any such
disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities, if any, and any Special Counsel,
consultant or accountant retained by such selling Holders or underwriter, at the
offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and
other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and
its subsidiaries as they may reasonably request (including with respect to
businesses and assets acquired or to be acquired to the extent that such
information is available to the Company), and cause the officers, directors,
agents and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (including with respect
to businesses and assets acquired or to be acquired to the extent that such
information is available to the Company) to supply all information in each case
reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney,
consultant or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement,
provided, however, that such persons shall first agree in writing with the
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Company that any information that is reasonably and in good faith designated by
the Company in writing as confidential at the time of delivery of such
information shall be kept confidential by such persons, unless (i) disclosure of
such information is required by court or administrative order or is necessary to
respond to inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such
information is required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant
to Federal securities laws in connection with the filing of any Registration
Statement or the use of any Prospectus referred to in this Agreement),
(iii) such information becomes generally available to the public other than as a
result of a disclosure or failure to safeguard by any such person or (iv) such
information becomes available to any such person from a source other than the
Company and such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement;
(o) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than
the effective date of the first Registration Statement relating to the Transfer
Restricted Securities; and in connection therewith, cooperate with the trustee
under the Indenture and the holders of the Transfer Restricted Securities 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
reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all customary
documents as may be
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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;
(p) Comply with applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and make
generally available to its security holders earning statements satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158, no later than 45
days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-
month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any
fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters
in a firm commitment or reasonable efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not
sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the
first fiscal quarter after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which
statement shall cover said period, consistent with the requirements of Rule 158;
and
(q) Use all reasonable efforts to (i) cause the Notes to be listed
on any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or
(ii) cause the Notes to be authorized for quotation on the National Association
of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") or the National
Market System of NASDAQ if the Common Stock is then so authorized for quotation,
in each case concurrently with the effectiveness of the first Registration
Statement relating to the Transfer Restricted Securities.
The Company may require each seller of Transfer Restricted Securities
as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such
information regarding the distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities as
is required by law to be disclosed in the applicable Registration Statement and
the Company may exclude from such registration the Transfer Restricted
Securities of any seller who unreasonably fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time after receiving such request. Each such Holder agrees,
by the acquisition of Transfer Restricted Securities, and agrees to confirm such
agreement in writing upon request of the Company, to notify the Company as
promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in information previously
furnished by such Holder to the Company or of the occurrence of any event as a
result of which any Prospectus relating to such registration contains or would
contain an untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Holder or such
Holder's intended method of distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities,
or omits to state any material fact regarding such Holder or such Holder's
intended method of distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities,
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances then
existing, not misleading and promptly to furnish to the Company any additional
information required to correct and update any previously furnished information
or required so that such Prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such
Holder or the distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities, an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances then existing, not
misleading.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding
by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by
such Holder of the investment quality of the Company's securities covered
thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder will assist in
meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii) in the event
that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the
Securities Act or any similar Federal statute then in force, the deletion of the
reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to
be required.
Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees by acquisition of
such Transfer Restricted Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof or of the happening of any event of the
kind described in Section 4(c)(ii), 4(c)(iii), 4(c)(v) or 4(c)(vi) hereof, such
Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such
Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 4(k) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and,
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in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings
that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
Prospectus, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies,
then in such Holder's possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer
Restricted Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
5. Registration Expenses
---------------------
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by it whether or
not any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective and whether or not
any securities are issued or sold pursuant to any Registration Statement. The
fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall include, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and (B) in compliance with
securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation and in addition to
that provided for in (b) below, fees and disbursements of counsel for the
underwriters or Special Counsel for the Holders in connection with Blue Sky
qualifications of the Transfer Restricted Securities and determination of the
eligibility of the Transfer Restricted Securities for investment under the laws
of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriters, if any, or Holders of a
majority in amount (determined on a fully converted basis) of Transfer
Restricted Securities may designate)), (ii) printing expenses (including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Transfer Restricted
Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and
of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriters, if any), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery
expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and Special
Counsel for the Holders (plus any local counsel deemed appropriate by the
Holders of a majority in amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities
(determined on a fully converted basis)), in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5(b) hereof, (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified
public accountants referred to in Section 4(m)(iii) hereof (including, without
limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters
required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities Act liability
insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vii) fees and expenses
of all other persons retained by the Company. In addition, the Company shall pay
its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses
of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the
expense of any annual audit, and the fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange
or on NASDAQ. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, each Holder of the Transfer Restricted Securities being registered
shall pay all commissions, placement agent fees and underwriting discounts and
commissions with respect to any Transfer Restricted Securities sold by it and
the fees and disbursements of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained
by such Holders (severally or jointly), other than Special Counsel and local
counsel referred to in clause (iv) above.
(b) In connection with any registration hereunder, the Company shall
reimburse the Holders of the Transfer Restricted Securities being registered in
such registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one
firm of attorneys representing the selling Holders (in addition to any local
counsel), which firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in amount of
the Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully converted basis).
6. Indemnification
---------------
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each of
the Purchasers, (ii) each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, (iii) each
person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any of the foregoing (any of the persons
referred to in this clause (iii) being hereinafter referred to as a "controlling
person"), and (iv) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of the Purchasers, each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities, or any controlling person (any person referred to in clause (i),
(ii), (iii) or (iv) may hereinafter be referred to as an "Indemnified Person"),
------------------
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments
caused by any
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untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement, Prospectus or form of Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto or in any preliminary Prospectus, 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 (in the case of any
Prospectus or form of Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by any such untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information relating to any Indemnified Person furnished in writing to the
Company by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use therein;
provided that the foregoing indemnity with respect to any preliminary Prospectus
--------
shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Person from whom the person
asserting such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments purchased
securities if such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission made in such preliminary Prospectus is eliminated or remedied in the
Prospectus and a copy of the Prospectus shall not have been furnished to such
person in a timely manner due to the wrongful action or wrongful inaction of
such Indemnified Person (provided that the Company has delivered the Prospectus
--------
to such Indemnified Person in requisite quantity on a timely basis to permit
such delivery or sending).
(b) In case any action shall be brought against any Indemnified
Person, based upon any Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto and with respect to which indemnity may be
sought against the Company, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the
Company in writing and the Company shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person and
payment of all fees and expenses. Any Indemnified Person 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
such Indemnified Person, unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have
been specifically authorized in writing by the Company, (ii) the Company shall
have failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (iii) the named parties
to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such
Indemnified Person and the Company and such Indemnified Person shall have been
advised in writing by counsel that the representation of such Indemnified Person
and the Company by the same counsel would be inappropriate under applicable
standards of professional conduct (whether or not such representation by the
same counsel has been proposed) due to an actual or reasonably anticipated
material conflict of interest between them (in which case the Company shall not
have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such
Indemnified Person, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in
connection with any one such 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 reasonable fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all such Indemnified Persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by such
Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred). The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any
such action effected without its written consent but if settled with the written
consent of the Company, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party,
unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified
party from all liability on claims that are or could have been the subject
matter of such proceeding 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.
(c) In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder
of Transfer Restricted Securities is participating, such Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors, its officers and any person controlling the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to
each Indemnified Person but only with reference to information relating to such
Indemnified Person furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Indemnified
Person expressly for use in such Registration Statement. In case any action
shall be brought against the Company, any of its directors, any such officer or
any person controlling
-11-
the Company based on such Registration Statement and in respect of which
indemnity may be sought against any Indemnified Person, the Indemnified Person
shall have the rights and duties given to the Company (except that if the
Company shall have assumed the defense thereof, such Indemnified Person shall
not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and
participate in defense thereof but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall
be at the expense of such Indemnified Person), and the Company, its directors,
any such officers and any person controlling the Company shall have the rights
and duties given to the Indemnified Person, by Section 6(b) hereof.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is
unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments 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 and judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and each
Indemnified Person on the other hand from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if
the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and
each such Indemnified Person in connection with the statements or omissions
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the
Company and each such Indemnified Person shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
the Company or such Indemnified Person and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
The Company and the Purchasers agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro
---
rata allocation (even if the Indemnified Persons were treated as one entity for
----
such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of
the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the
immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, no
Indemnified Person shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the proceeds received by it in connection with the sale of the
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement exceeds the amount of
any damages which such Indemnified Person 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 Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
Indemnified Persons' obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 6(d) are
several in proportion to the respective amount of Notes included in any such
Registration Statement by each Indemnified Person and not joint.
7. Rules 144 and 144A
------------------
The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a
timely manner and, if at any time it is not required to file such reports but in
the past had been required to or did file such reports, it will, upon the
request of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, make available other
information as required by, and so long as necessary to permit, sales of its
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144 and Rule 144A.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to
require the Company to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange
Act.
8. Underwritten Registrations
--------------------------
(a) If any of the Transfer Restricted 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
-12-
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in amount
of such Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully converted basis)
included in such offering, subject to the consent of the Company (which will not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder
unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person's Transfer Restricted
Securities on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, if
requested (pursuant to a timely written notice) by the managing underwriters in
an underwritten offering, not to effect any private sale or distribution
(including a sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A, but excluding
non-public sales to any of its affiliates, officers, directors, employees and
controlling persons) of any of the Notes, in the case of an offering of the
Company's debt securities, or the Common Stock, in the case of an offering of
the Company's equity securities, during the period beginning 10 days prior to,
and ending 90 days after, the closing date of the underwritten offering.
The foregoing provisions of this Section 8(b) shall not apply to any
Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities if such Holder is prevented by
applicable statute or regulation from entering into any such agreement.
(c) The Initial Purchasers and all Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities agree that, notwithstanding any other term or provision hereof, the
Company shall not be required to enter into any agreements (including
underwriting agreements) or take any other actions contemplated by Section 4(m)
hereof unless requested in writing by the holders of at least 50% of the
Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully converted basis) sold to
the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
9. Miscellaneous
-------------
(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company, or by a
--------
holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, of any of their obligations under this
Agreement, each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or the Company, in
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Agreement. The Company and each holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for
any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that
a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any
--------------------------
agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(c) No Piggyback on Registrations. The Company shall not grant to
-----------------------------
any of its security holders (other than the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities in such capacity) the right to include any of its securities in any
Shelf Registration other than Transfer Restricted Securities.
(d) 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, without the written consent of the Holders of a majority of
the then outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully
converted basis); provided, however, that, for the purposes of this Agreement,
-------- -------
Transfer Restricted Securities that are owned, directly or indirectly, by either
the Company or an
-13-
Affiliate of the Company are not deemed outstanding. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect
to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities may be given by Holders of a majority
of the Transfer Restricted Securities (determined on a fully converted basis)
being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided,
--------
however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or
-------
supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately
preceding sentence.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
-------
herein shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, next-day air courier,
certified first-class mail, return receipt requested, telex or telecopy:
(i) if to the Company, as provided in the Purchase Agreement,
(ii) if to the Purchasers, as provided in the Purchase
Agreement, or
(iii) if to any other person who is then the registered Holder of
any Transfer Restricted Securities, to the address of such Holder as it appears
in the Note or Common Stock register of the Company.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such
communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand,
if personally delivered; one Business Day after being timely delivered to a
next-day air courier; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail,
postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the recipient's telecopier machine, if telecopied.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
----------------------
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of
the parties and shall inure to the benefit of each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder
without the prior written consent of each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no transferee shall have any of the
rights granted under this Agreement until such transferee shall acknowledge its
rights and obligations hereunder by a signed written statement of such
transferee's acceptance of such rights and obligations.
(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) Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.
-----------------------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED
WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(i) Severability. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and
------------
not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. If any term, provision, covenant
or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full
force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and
the parties hereto shall use their reasonable efforts to find and employ an
alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that
contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby
stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have
executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without
including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or
unenforceable.
-14-
(j) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. All
references made in this Agreement to "Section" and "paragraph" refer to such
Section or paragraph of this Agreement, unless expressly stated otherwise.
(k) Attorneys' Fees. In any action or proceeding brought to enforce
---------------
any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly
asserted as a defense, the prevailing party, as determined by the court, shall
be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees in addition to any other
available remedy.
-15-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
HALTER MARINE GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
The foregoing Registration Rights
Agreement is hereby confirmed
and accepted as of the date
first above written.
XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXX & XXXXXXXX
SECURITIES CORPORATION
XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX
& XXXXX INCORPORATED
By: Xxxxxxxxx, Lufkin & Xxxxxxxx
Securities Corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Sr. Vice President
-16-
