AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT
NO. 1, dated
as
of December 21, 2006 (the “Amendment”), to the Amended and Restated Deposit
Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") dated
as
of December 3, 2004 among SAP AG, a stock corporation organized under the laws
of the Federal Republic of Germany (herein called the Company), DEUTSCHE BANK
TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, a New York corporation (herein called the Depositary),
and all Owners and Holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts
issued thereunder.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Depositary executed the Deposit Agreement for the purposes
set forth therein; and
WHEREAS,
As a result of a corporate action being effected by the Company, pursuant to
Section 6.1 of the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary desire
to
amend the ratio of Deposited Securities represented by each American Depositary
Share.
NOW,
THEREFORE, for
good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit
Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION
1.01. Definitions.
Unless
otherwise defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not
otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the
Deposit Agreement.
1
ARTICLE
II
AMENDMENTS
TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION
2.01. All
references in the Deposit Agreement to the term “Deposit Agreement” shall, as of
the Effective Date (as herein defined), refer to the Deposit Agreement as
amended hereby.
SECTION
2.02. The
ratio
of shares per American Depositary Share set forth in Section 1.1 of the Deposit
Agreement is amended so that after the Effective Date, each American Depositary
Share represents one Share.
ARTICLE
III
AMENDMENTS
TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION
3.01. All
references in the form of American Depositary Receipt to the
number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share is amended to
reflect that each American Depositary Share represents one Share.
SECTION
3.02. The
address of the Commission set forth in Article (11) of the form of American
Depositary Receipt is amended by deleting the address set forth therein and
replacing it with "100 X. Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000".
SECTION
3.03. The
form
of American Depositary Receipt, reflecting the amendments set forth in Article
III hereof, is amended and restated to read as set forth as Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
2
SECTION
4.01. Representations
and Warranties.
The
Company represents and warrants
to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders, that:
(a)
This
Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, will be duly and validly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and it and the Deposit
Agreement as amended hereby constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and
(b)
In
order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into
evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, neither
of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other
authority in the Federal Republic of Germany, nor does any stamp or similar
tax
or governmental charge need to be paid in the Federal Republic of Germany on
or
in respect of such agreements.
ARTICLE
V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION
5.01. Effective
Date.
This
Amendment is dated as of the date set forth above and shall be effective as
of
the close of business New York time on December 21, 2006specify by (the
“Effective Date”).
SECTION
5.02. Outstanding
Receipts.
Receipts issued prior or subsequent to the date hereof, which do not reflect
the
changes to the form of Receipt effected hereby, do not need to be called in
for
exchange and may remain outstanding until such time as the Owners thereof choose
to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary
is
authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect
the foregoing.
SECTION
5.03. Indemnification.
The
parties hereto shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification
provisions of Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement in connection with any and
all liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment
and the transactions contemplated herein.
3
SECTION
5.04. Counterparts.
This
Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
instrument.
4
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by
representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth
above.
SAP AG | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
DEUTSCHE
BANK
TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Depositary
|
||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
By: | ||
Name: |
||
Title: |
5
Exhibit
A
to Amendment to Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement
CERTAIN
RIGHTS OF THE OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF THIS AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT MAY BE
WITHHELD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF AND UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES AS SET
OUT
IN ARTICLE (22) HEREOF, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, VOTING RIGHTS AND THE
RIGHT TO RECEIVE DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
(Each
American Depositary Share
represents
one Share (as defined
in
the
Deposit Agreement) )
DEUTSCHE
BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTING
ORDINARY
SHARES,
WITHOUT
NOMINAL VALUE, OF
SAP
AG
(A
STOCK CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY)
Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas as depositary (hereinafter called the "Depositary"),
hereby certifies that ______,
or
registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF _______AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES representing
deposited Ordinary Shares, without nominal value, (herein called "Shares")
of
SAP AG, a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic
of
Germany (herein called the "Company"). At the date hereof, each American
De-positary Share represents one Share, which is either deposited or subject
to
deposit under the Deposit Agreement (as herein-after defined) with the
Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Deutsche
Bank AG, Eschborn, Domestic Custody Services Germany (the "Custodian").
THE
DEPOSITARY'S CORPORATE TRUST OFFICE ADDRESS IS 00 XXXX XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, X.X.
00000
1
1. THE
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This
American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called "Receipts"),
all
issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the deposit
agreement, dated as of September 12, 1995, as amended and restated as of June
26, 1998, as further amended and restated as of June 23, 2000, as further
amended and restated as of June 18, 2001 and as further amended and restated
as
of December 3, 2004 (herein called the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the
Company, the Depositary, and all Owners and Holders from time to time of
Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become
a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof.
The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Holders of the
Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares
deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from
time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such
Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called "Deposited
Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the
Depositary's Corporate Trust Office in New York City and at the office of the
Custodian.
The
statements made on the face and reverse of this Re-ceipt are summaries of
certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject
to
the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby
made. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
in
the Deposit Agreement.
2. SURRENDER
OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon
surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of this Receipt,
and
upon payment of the fee of the Depositary provided in Article 7 of this Receipt
and Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, and subject to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association of the Company,
the Deposited Securities and applicable law, the Owner hereof is entitled to
due
assignment, transfer and delivery of all right, title, legal ownership and
interest, to it or upon its order, of such whole number of Deposited Securities
at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt
is issued and a new Receipt for the number of American Depositary Shares
representing any fractional Deposited Securities and any Deposited Securities
not being withdrawn. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by
(a)(i) delivery of certificates in the name of the Owner hereof or as ordered
by
it or by the delivery of certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by proper
instruments of transfer to such Owner or as ordered by it, subject to the
Articles of Association of the Company, or (ii) delivery or transfer to an
account through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme or Euroclear Bank
S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, for the benefit of such Owner
or
as ordered by it and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such
Owner is then entitled in respect of this Receipt. Such delivery will be
made without unreasonable delay at the option of the Owner hereof, either at
the
office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary,
provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other Deposited
Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary
shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof. Notwithstanding any
other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the surrender of
outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be
suspended only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer
books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection
with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the
payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S.
or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to
the
withdrawal of the Deposited Securities.
2
The
Depositary shall not accept for surrender a Receipt evidencing American
Depositary Shares representing in the aggregate a fractional interest in one
Share or other Deposited Security. In the case of surrender of a Receipt
evidencing any number of American Depositary Shares representing in the
aggregate other than a whole number of Deposited Securities, together with
payment and delivery of written instructions for withdrawal of Deposited
Securities as required under this Article (2), the Depositary shall cause the
whole number of Deposited Securities requested to be withdrawn by the Owner
of
such Receipt to be withdrawn and delivered to or upon the order of such Owner
and shall issue and deliver to or upon the order of the person surrendering
such
Receipt, a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing the
Deposited Securities not requested to be withdrawn, including any fractional
interests in the Deposited Securities.
3. TRANSFERS,
SPLIT-UPS, AND COMBINATIONS OF RECEIPTS.
The
transfer of this Receipt is registrable on the books of the Depositary upon
surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depository of this Receipt,
by
the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed
for transfer or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped
as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States
of America. Thereupon, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new
Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, subject
to receipt of any certifications as the Depositary or the Company may require
to
comply with applicable laws. This Receipt may be split into other such
Receipts, or may be combined with other such Receipts into one Receipt,
evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the
Receipt or Receipts surrendered. As a condition precedent to the execution
and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or surrender
of
any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the
Custodian, or Registrar may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares
or
the presenter of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax
or
other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with
respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares
being deposited or Deposited Securities being withdrawn) and payment of any
applicable fees as provided in the Deposit Agreement, (ii) the production of
proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature
and
(iii) compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish
consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
This Receipt may be surrendered for the purpose of effecting a split-up or
combination of such Receipt, and the Depositary, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver a new Receipt
for
any authorized number of Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number
of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts
surrendered.
The
delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits
of
particular Shares may be suspended or withheld, or deposits of Shares may be
refused, or the registration of transfer, split-up or combination of outstanding
Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of
transfer, split-up or combination of outstanding Receipts generally may be
suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary are
closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary
or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement
of
applicable law or of any government or governmental or regulatory authority,
body or commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this
Receipt or the Articles of Association of the Company, or for any other reason,
subject to the provisions of Article 24. Without limitation of the
foregoing, neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall knowingly accept
for
deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under
the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement
is
in effect as to such Shares.
3
4. LIABILITY
OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If
any
tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any
Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented hereby, such tax or other
governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Holder hereof to the
Depositary. The Depositary may, and at the request of the Company shall,
refuse to effect any registration of transfer of this Receipt (or any split-up
or combination hereof) or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented
by
American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt until such payment is
made,
and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the
account of the Owner or Holder hereof any part or all of the Deposited
Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this
Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds
of
any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner
or Holder hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
5. WARRANTIES
OF DEPOSITORS.
Every
person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby
to
represent and warrant (i) that such Shares and each certificate therefor are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) that such Shares are free
and
clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage, pledge
or
restriction on transfer, (iii) that such Shares are accompanied by any dividend
coupons for dividends to be paid in the future and rights to receive any such
dividend coupons or appropriate evidence thereof and (iv) that the person making
such deposit is duly authorized to do so. Every such person shall also be
deemed to represent that the deposit of such Shares and the sale of Receipts
evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Shares by that person
are not restricted under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations
and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of
Receipts.
6. FILING
PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any
person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Holder of a Receipt may
be
required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such
proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval and payment of
all
taxes and other governmental charges, legal or beneficial ownership of Receipts,
Deposited Securities and other securities and the nature of such ownership
or
compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and provisions of or governing
Deposited Securities and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, or other
information and to execute and deliver such certificates and to make such
representations and warranties, as the Depositary or the Company may deem
necessary or proper. The Depositary may, and upon the request of the
Company shall, withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt
or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of
the
proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof
or
other information is filed or such certificates are executed and delivered
or
such representations and warranties made. Upon the request of the Company,
the Depositary shall provide the Company in a timely manner copies of any such
proofs and certificates and such written representations and warranties that
it
receives. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by
evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit
have
been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and
regulations of Germany and any necessary approval has been granted by any
governmental authority or body in Germany which is then performing the function
of the regulation of currency exchange or any other function which requires
approval for the deposit of Shares and by any dividend coupons for dividends
to
be paid in the future and rights to receive such dividend coupons or appropriate
evidence thereof.
4
7. CHARGES
OF DEPOSITARY.
The
Company agrees to pay the fees, reasonable expenses and out-of-pocket charges
of
the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements
in
writing entered into between the Depositary and the Company from time to time.
The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses
to the Company once every three months. The charges and expenses of the
Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
Subject
to applicable law and the regulations of any exchange upon which the American
Depositary Shares are listed, the following charges shall be incurred by any
party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering Receipts
or
to whom Receipts are issued (including, without limitation, issuance pursuant
to
a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock
regarding the Receipts or Deposited Securities or a distribution of Receipts
pursuant to Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement), whichever applicable: (1)
taxes and other governmental charges, (2) such registration fees as may from
time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally
applicable to transfers of Shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee
or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals under
the Deposit Agreement, (3) such air courier, cable, telex and facsimile
transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement, (4)
such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign
Currency pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, (5) a fee of $5.00
or
less per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) for the execution
and delivery of Receipts pursuant to Sections 2.3, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit
Agreement, and the surrender of Receipts pursuant to Section 2.5 or 6.2 of
the
Deposit Agreement, (6) a fee of $.02 or less per American Depositary Share
(or
portion thereof) for any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit
Agreement including, but not limited to Sections 4.1 through 4.4 thereof, except
for any distribution of cash dividends and (7) a fee for the distribution of
securities pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Deposit Agreement, such fee being
in
an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of Receipts referred
to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such
securities (for purposes of this clause (7) treating all such securities as
if
they were Shares), but which securities are instead distributed by the
Depositary to Owners.
The
Depositary, subject to Article 8 hereof, may own and deal in any class of
securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts.
5
8. LOANS
AND PRE-RELEASE OF SHARES AND RECEIPTS.
Notwithstanding
Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may execute and deliver
Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursu-ant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit
Agree-ment (a "Pre-Release") unless the Company requests the Depositary to
cease
doing so. The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Deposit
Agreement, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which
have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the
termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has
been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares
in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. In no event will the Depositary deliver
Shares prior to the receipt and cancellation of Receipts for Shares. Each
Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation
and
agreement from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered ("Pre-Releasee"),
that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to
be
remitted, as the case may be, (ii) assigns all beneficial rights, title and
interest in such Shares or Receipts, as the case may be, to the Depositary
in
its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Owners, and (iii) will not
take
any action with respect to such Shares or Receipts, as the case may be, that
is
inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including, without
the
consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Shares or Receipts, as the case
may
be), other than in satisfaction of a Pre-Release, (b) at all times fully
collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral
as
the Depositary determines, in good faith, will provide substantially similar
liquidity and security, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five
(5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit
regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not
deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any
time
as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of
the
Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided,
however,
that
the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time
as
it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of
the
Company, change such limit for purposes of general application; provided,
further, that
the
Company shall have the right to request in writing that the Depositary cease
any
further Pre-Releases and the Depositary shall be required to act upon such
a
request only with respect to proposed Pre-Releases made two business days
following the Depositary's receipt of the request by the Company. The
Depositary will also set Dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions
to be entered into under the Deposit Agreement with any particular Pre-Releasee
on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes
of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the
Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be
held
by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's
obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction,
including the Pre-Releasee's obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon
termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance
of
doubt, constitute Deposited Securities under the Deposit
Agreement).
The
Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in
connection with the foregoing. The Company shall have no liability to any
Holder or Owner with respect to any representations, actions or omissions by
the
Depositary, or any of its agents pursuant to Section 2.9 of the Deposit
Agreement.
9. TITLE
TO RECEIPTS.
It
is a
condition of this Receipt and every successive Holder and Owner of this Receipt
by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt
(and the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby) when properly endorsed
or
accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery
with
the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of
the
State of New York; provided,
however,
that
the Company and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary,
may
treat the Owner hereof as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of
determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other
distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement or for
all
other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any
obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any
holder of this Receipt, unless such holder is the Owner hereof.
6
10. VALIDITY
OF RECEIPT.
This
Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or
be
valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been
executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly
authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar (other than the
Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the
manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the
Registrar.
11. REPORTS;
INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The
Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (hereinafter called the "Commission").
Such
reports and communications will be available for inspection and copying at
the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 000 X.
Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000.
The
Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners of Receipts at its
Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy
soliciting material, received from the Company which are both (a) received
by
the Depositary as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally
available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. Upon
the receipt of such reports furnished by the Company pursuant to Section 5.6
of
the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall promptly send copies to the Owners.
Any such reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting
material, furnished to the Depositary by the Company shall be furnished in
English to the extent such materials are required to be translated into English
pursuant to any regulations of the Commission.
The
Company shall furnish to the Depositary the name of each dealer known to the
Company depositing Shares against issuance of American Depositary Shares
evidenced by Receipts during the period covered by reports required to be filed
with the Commission.
The
Depositary will keep books at its Corporate Trust Office for the registration
of
Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open
for inspection by the Owners of Receipts provided that such inspection shall
not
be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of Receipts in the interest
of a
business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related
to
the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts. At the reasonable written request
of the Company, the Company shall have the right to (i) inspect transfer and
registration records of the Depositary or its agent and take copies thereof
and
(ii) require the Depositary or its agent, the Registrar and any co-transfer
agents or co-registrars to supply promptly copies of such portions of such
records as the Company may reasonably request.
The
Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time,
when
transfer agents located in The City of New York generally close their transfer
books or when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of
its
duties under the Deposit Agreement or at the request of the
Company.
7
12. DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever
the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribu-tion on any
Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, if any amounts received in a Foreign
Currency can in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary be converted on a
reasonable basis into United States dollars transferable to the United States,
and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement and
Article 13 hereof, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall
as promptly as practicable distribute the amount thus received (net of the
expenses of the Depositary in connection with the conversion of such Foreign
Currency into Dollars and such other fees and expenses as provided in Section
5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, in
proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by them respectively; provided,
however,
that in
the event that the Company or the Depositary is required to withhold and does
withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any
Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes or other governmental
charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the Receipts evidencing
American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be
reduced accordingly; provided,
further,
that
the Company may elect, but is not obligated, to convert any such dividend or
distribution into Dollars on behalf of the Holders, either (x) through
distribution of Dollars rather than euro to the Depositary or (y) upon
reasonable notice to the Depositary given in advance of any such dividend or
distribution, through payment to the Depositary of the number of Dollars
equivalent to (on the basis of an exchange rate which approximates the offer
rate of exchange as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Germany or the
European Central Bank as of the date of receipt of such currency) the number
of
euro received by the Depositary pursuant to such dividend or distribution,
in
exchange for such euro and the Company shall be responsible for establishing
the
appropriate rate of distribution and the timely delivery of funds.
Subject
to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever
the Custodian or the Depositary receives any distribution other than a
distribution described in Sections 4.1, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement,
the
Depositary shall, as promptly as practicable, cause the securities or property
received by it or the Custodian to be distributed to the Owners of Receipts
entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares
representing such Depos-ited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner
that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such
distribution; provided,
however,
that if
the Company shall so direct or if in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary
such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners of Receipts
entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary determines that
it
is not lawful or feasible to make such a distribution to all or certain Owners,
the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem lawful, equitable and
practicable for the purpose of effecting a distribution, including, but not
limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus
received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of
the
fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement)
shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners of Receipts entitled
thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash. To the extent
such securities or property, or the net proceeds thereof, are not effectively
distributed to Owners as provided in the Deposit Agreement, the same shall
constitute Deposited Securities and each American Depositary Share shall
thereafter represent its proportionate interest, in such securities, property
or
net proceeds.
8
If
any
distribution upon Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free
distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may and shall if the Company shall
so
request, distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto,
in
proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing
an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of
Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms
and
conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and
the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including
the
withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section
4.11
of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as
provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement. In lieu of delivering
Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the
Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such
fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to
the
conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement. If for any
reason (including any require-ment that the Company or the Depositary withhold
an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges) the Depositary
determines that it is not lawful or feasible to make a distribution of Shares
to
all or certain Owners, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem
lawful, equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such
distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of
the
Shares thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such
sale
(net of fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the
Deposit Agreement) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled
thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions of Section 4.1 of
the
Deposit Agreement. To the extent such Shares, or the net proceeds thereof,
are not effectively distributed to Owners as provided in the Deposit Agreement,
the same shall constitute Deposited Securities and each American Depositary
Share shall thereafter also represent its proportionate interest in the
additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby
and such net proceeds.
In
the
event that the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion that any
distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor)
is
subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is
obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose
of
all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe
therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary
and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall
distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes
or
charges to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto in proportion to the number
of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively and the Depositary
shall
distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions
of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary or its agent shall remit to
appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United States all
amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the
Depositary.
In
addition, to the extent practicable, and in accordance with instructions from
the Company, the Depositary and the Custodian will take all practicable
administrative actions necessary to obtain all tax refunds and to reduce German
withholding taxes on dividends and other distributions on the Deposited
Securities.
13. CONVERSION
OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Whenever
the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of
dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of
securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the
Foreign Currency so received can in the reasonable judgment of the Depositary
be
converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars
transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to
be
converted, as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that
it
may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be
distributed, as promptly as practicable, to the Owners entitled thereto or,
if
the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which
entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such
warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation and in
accordance with the terms thereof, provided, however, that the Company may
convert Foreign Currency in accordance with Article 12 hereof. Such
distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without
regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions,
the
date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses
of
conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9
of
the Deposit Agreement.
9
If
such
conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license
of
any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application
for
approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable; provided
that if
such application involves or refers to the Company or is made on behalf of
the
Company, such application shall not be filed until approved by the
Company.
If
at any
time the Depositary shall determine that in its reasonable judgment any Foreign
Currency received by the Depositary or the Custodian is not convertible on
a
reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any
approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for
such conversion is denied or in the reasonable opinion of the Depositary is
not
obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a
reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may in its
reasonable discretion distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate
document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by
the
Depositary to, or hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability
for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to
receive the same.
If
any
such conversion of Foreign Currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected
for
distribution in Dollars to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary
may in its reasonable discretion make such conversion and distribution in
Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may
distribute the balance of the Foreign Currency received by the Depositary to,
or
hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for
the
respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto.
14. RIGHTS.
(a)
In the event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the
holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional
Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall, following
Consultation with the Company as to the procedure to be followed, (i) make
such
rights available to any Owners as provided in clause (A) below, (ii) dispose
of
such rights on behalf of any Owners and make the net cash proceeds available
in
Dollars to such Owners as provided in clause (B) below or, (iii) if by the
terms
of such rights offering or, for any other reason, the Depositary may not either
make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make
the
net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the
rights to lapse.
(A)
If at
the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines, following
Consultation with the Company, that it is lawful and feasible to make such
rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners,
the
Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution
to
be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary
Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form
as it deems appropriate.
10
If
the
Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all
or
certain Owners, then upon in-struction from such an Owner pursuant to such
warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise
such
rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such
Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received
upon
the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary
and
any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the
Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase
the
Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered
to
the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the
Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to
Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of
the
Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. Such
Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall
be
subject to such restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer as
the
Depositary shall deem necessary, in its reasonable discretion, in order to
comply with legal requirements or as shall be instructed by the
Company.
(B)
If at
the time of the offering of any rights, the Depositary determines, following
Consultation with the Company, that it is not lawful and feasible to make such
rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants
or
other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares
held
by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make
such rights available, and allocate the net cash proceeds of such sales (net
of
the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement
and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights
and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement) for the
account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other
instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any
distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date
of
delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and distribute the net cash proceeds,
as in
the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 of the
Deposit Agreement.
(b)
The
Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the
securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration
under
the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to Owners or are
registered under the provisions of such Act. If an Owner of Receipts
requests distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that
there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not
effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from counsel in
the
United States for the Company upon which the Depositary may rely that such
distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration. Nothing in
this Receipt or in the Deposit Agreement shall create, or shall be construed
to
create, any obligation on the part of the Company to file a registration
statement with respect to such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor
to
have such a registration statement declared effective.
(c)
The
Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may
be
lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any
Owner in particular.
11
15. RECORD
DATES.
Whenever
any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any
distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued
with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the
Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by
each
American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice
of
any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever
the
Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in respect of any matter,
the
Depositary shall fix a record date which shall be, to the extent practicable,
the same date as the record date for the Shares or other Deposited Securities,
as the case may be, or as close thereto as practicable, after Consultation
with
the Company, (a) for the determination of the Owners of Receipts who shall
be
(i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net
proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to exercise, or give instructions
for the exercise of, voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) for fixing the
date on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed
number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.5 of
the Deposit Agreement and to the other terms and conditions thereof, the Owners
on such record date shall be entitled, as the case may be, to receive the amount
distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other
distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof or to exercise
the rights of Owners under the Deposit Agreement with respect to such changed
number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share in proportion
to
the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively and to
exercise, or give instructions for the exercise of, voting rights and to act
in
respect of any other such matter.
16. VOTING
OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Upon
receipt of (a) notice from the Company of any meeting of holders of Shares
or
other Deposited Securities and (b) the statement of the Custodian or such other
major commercial German bank as may be reasonably chosen by the Depositary
to
act as a proxy bank (the "Proxy Bank"), setting forth its recommendations with
regard to voting of the Shares as to any matter which is set forth in the notice
from the Company on which a vote is to be taken by holders of Shares, together
with an English translation thereof (the "Recommendation"), unless otherwise
requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as soon as
practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, which shall contain (i)
such information as is contained in such notice of meeting and (ii) a statement
that the Owners and Holders ("Voters") as of the close of business on a
specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision
of
German law, the Articles of Association of the Company, the Receipts and the
Deposited Securities, to exercise, or to give instructions for the exercise
of,
the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the whole number of Shares or other
Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares
on such date (c) the Recommendation and (d) a statement as to the manner in
which such instructions may be given, including an express indication that
if no
voting instructions are received on or before the date established by the
Depositary for such purpose in accordance with Section 4.7 of the Deposit
Agreement (the "Instruction Date") then the Voters shall in each case be deemed
to have instructed the Depositary to vote or cause the shares to be voted in
accordance with the Recommendation.
In
addition, each Voter who desires to exercise, or give instructions for the
exercise of, voting rights shall be required to execute and return to the
Depositary on or before the Instruction Date, a document provided by the
Depositary which (a) either (1) authorizes such Voter's American Depositary
Shares to be delivered to a blocked account established for such purpose at
The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") (as provided below), or (2) instructs the
Depositary to block the Shares without delivering the American Depositary Shares
to the Depositary and (b) instructs the Depositary as to how the whole number
of
Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary
Shares evidenced by such Voter's Receipts are to be voted.
12
Upon
the
written request of a Voter, as applicable, on such record date, received on
or
before the Instruction Date, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as
practicable and permitted under German law, the Articles of Association of
the
Company and the Receipts, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares
or
other Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in
such
request. The Company agrees, without any liability to the Voters arising
hereunder, to provide notice, to the extent practicable, of any meeting of
Voters of Shares or other Deposited Securities containing the requisite
information, together with English translations, to the Depositary within the
twelve days following the publication of the invitation to the shareholders
meeting in the German Federal Gazette. Voting rights may be
exercised only in respect of four (4) American Depositary Shares, or integral
multiples thereof. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise
the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities,
other than in accordance with such instructions or deemed instructions received
from the Voters, as applicable, as of such record date.
Subject
to the following paragraph of this Article (16), if no specific voting
instructions are received by the Depositary from any Voter (to whom Notice
was
sent by the Depositary) with respect to the Deposited Securities represented
by
the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such American Depositary Receipts
on
or before the Instruction Date, such Voter shall be deemed, and the Depositary
shall deem such Voter, to have instructed the Depositary to vote such Deposited
Securities or to cause such Deposited Securities to be voted in accordance
with
the Recommendation. In no event may the Depositary itself exercise any
voting discretion over any Shares or other Deposited Securities.
Anything
in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that
the
Proxy Bank shall fail to supply the Recommendation to the Depositary at least
twenty-one (21) calendar days prior to any meeting of holders of Shares or
other
Deposited Securities with respect to which the Depositary has received notice
from the Company, the Depositary shall mail the Notice (which in this case
will
not contain the Recommendation or the indication concerning the proxy to be
given to the Proxy Bank) to the Voters as herein above provided, and,
thereafter, in any case in which no specific voting instructions are received
by
the Depositary from a Voter on or before the Instruction Date with respect
to
the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced
by such American Depositary Receipts, no votes shall be cast at such meeting
with respect to such Deposited Securities.
Nothing
in the Deposit Agreement shall be construed to grant to a Voter any voting
rights with respect to Deposited Securities to which, by their terms, voting
rights do not otherwise attach.
17. CHANGES
AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
In
circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement
do
not apply, upon any change in nominal value (including, without limitation,
the
restatement of nominal value in any other currency), change in par value,
split-up, consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities,
or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale
of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which
shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in
conversion, replacement or otherwise in respect of Deposited Securities shall
be
treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and American
Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities
so
received, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following
sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, and upon the request of the
Company shall, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a
distribution in the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts
to
be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited
Securities.
13
Immediately
upon the occurrence of any such change, conversion or exchange covered by this
Article 17 in respect of the Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall give
notice thereof in writing to all Owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to
some
or all Owners, the Depositary may, and upon the request of Company shall, sell
such securities at a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon
such terms as it may deem proper, and may allocate the net proceeds of such
sale
for the account of the Owners otherwise entitled to such securities upon an
averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among
such Owners and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent
practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to
Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement.
18. LIABILITY
OF THE COMPANY AND DEPOSITARY.
None
of
the Depositary the Company or any of their respective officers, directors,
employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Holder
of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law,
order, decree, moratorium, fiat or regulation of the United States or any other
country, or of any other govern-mental or regulatory authority or stock
exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles
of
Association of the Company, or by reason of any provision of or governing any
Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other
circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary, or the Company or any of
their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be
prevented or forbidden from or delayed in, or be subject to any civil or
criminal penalty on account of doing or performing any act or thing which by
the
terms of the Deposit Agreement or Deposited Securities it is provided shall
be
done or performed; nor shall the Depositary, the Company or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents or affiliates incur any
liability to any Owner or Holder of a Receipt by reason of any non-performance
or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which
by
the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or
performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any
discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement. Where, by the terms of a
distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, or 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement,
or
an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement,
or
for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available
to
Owners of Receipts, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution
or
offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net cash proceeds available
to
such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering,
and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
14
Each
of
the Company, its agents and their respective officers, employees and affiliates
assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit
Agreement to Owners or Holders or any other persons, other than as set forth
below to the Depositary and the Custodian, and any agent of the Custodian or
the
Depositary appointed under the Deposit Agreement with the Company's prior
written consent. Each of the Company, its agents and their respective
officers, directors, employees and affiliates assumes no obligation nor shall
it
be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to the Depositary,
except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in
the
Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. Each of the Company,
its agents and their respective officers, directors, employees and affiliates
assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit
Agreement to the Custodian or any agent of the Depositary or the Custodian,
except under Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement. Each of the Depositary,
its agents and their respective officers, employees and affiliates assumes
no
obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement
to any Owner or Holder (including, without limitation, liability with respect
to
the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that it agrees to
perform its obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without
negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and the Company undertake to
perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in the
Deposit Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
the Deposit Agreement against the Depositary or the Company or their respective
agents. None of the Depositary, the Company or any of their respective
agents shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any
action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or
in
respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against
all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and
the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to
such
proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary.
None of the Depositary, the Company or any of their respective agents
shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice
of
or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares
for
deposit, any Owner, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be
competent to give such advice or information including, but not limited to,
any
such action or nonaction based upon any written notice, request, direction
or
other docu-ment believed by it to be genu-ine and to have been signed or
presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary shall not be
liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in
connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection
with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the
Depositary, provided
that in
connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the
Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while
it
acted as Depositary. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any
failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities,
or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the ef-fect of any such
vote, provided
that any
such action or nonaction is in good faith. No disclaimer of liability
under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of the Deposit
Agreement.
The
Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its officers, directors, employees,
agents and affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless
from, any loss, liability or reasonable expense which may arise out of acts
performed or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement
and of the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or any Custodian or their
respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for
any
liability or expense arising out of the negligence, willful misconduct or bad
faith of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its officers,
directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
The
indemnities contained in the preceding paragraph shall not extend to any
liability or expense which arises solely and exclusively out of a
Pre-Release transaction (as defined in Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement)
of
a Receipt or Receipts in accordance with Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement
and which would not otherwise have arisen had such Receipt or Receipts not
been
the subject of a Pre-Release pursuant to Section 2.9 of the Deposit Agreement;
provided,
however,
that
the indemnities provided in the preceding paragraph shall apply to any such
liability or expense (i) to the extent that such liability or expense would
have
arisen had a Receipt or Receipts not been the subject of a Pre-Release, or
(ii)
which may arise out of any misstatement or alleged misstatement or omission
or
alleged omission in any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus
(or
placement memorandum), or preliminary prospectus (or preliminary placement
memorandum), relating to the offer of sale of American Depositary Shares, except
to the extent any such liability or expense arises out of (i) information
relating to the Depositary or any Custodian (other than the Issuer), as
applicable, furnished in writing and not materially changed or altered by the
Company expressly for use in any of the foregoing documents, or, (ii) if such
information is provided, the failure to state a material fact necessary to
make
the information provided not misleading.
15
The
Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company, its officers, directors, employees,
agents and affiliates and hold them harmless from any loss, liability or expense
which may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or the
Custodian or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and
affiliates due to their negligence, will-ful misconduct or bad faith.
19. RESIGNATION
AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY;
APPOINTMENT
OF
SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.
The
Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement
by
written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such
resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and
its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice
of such removal effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and
its
acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. In
case at any time the Depositary shall resign or be removed, the Company will
use
its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which will be a bank or
trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York. Every successor depositary will execute and deliver to its
predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its
appointment under the Deposit Agreement, and thereupon such successor
depositary, without any further act or deed, will become fully vested with
all
the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such
predecessor, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of
the
Company, will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
all rights and powers of such predecessor under the Deposit Agreement, shall
duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited
Securities to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of
the
Owners of all outstanding Receipts and any other information relating to the
Deposit Agreement or the Receipts reasonably requested by such successor. Any
such successor depositary will promptly mail notice of its appointment to the
Owners. Whenever the Depositary determines in its reasonable discretion that
it
is in the best interest of the Owners to do so, it may discharge any Custodian
under the Deposit Agreement and appoint a substitute Custodian, upon
Consultation with the Company. Whenever the Depositary determines in its
reasonable discretion that it is in the best interest of the Owners to do so,
it
may appoint an additional custodian or custodians, which shall thereafter be
one
of the Custodians under the Deposit Agreement.
16
20. AMENDMENT.
The
form
of the Receipts and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time
and
from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary
in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the consent
of
Owners or Holders. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fees
or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees,
air courier, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or
other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial
existing right of Owners of Receipts, shall, however, not become effective
as to
outstanding Receipts until the expiration of thirty (30) days after notice
of
such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts.
Every Owner and Holder of a Receipt at the time any amendment so becomes
effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and
agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended
thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of
any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive herefor the Deposited
Securities represented hereby except in order to comply with mandatory
provisions of applicable law.
21. TERMINATION
OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
The
Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Company terminate the
Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all
Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such
notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate the
Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Company and
the
Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 30 days shall have
expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written
notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have
been
appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon
(a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary,
(b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred
to in Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c) payment of any applicable
taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his
order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain
outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall
discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the
distribution of dividends or other distributions with respect thereto to the
Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further
acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue
to
collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities,
shall sell rights and other property as provided in the Deposit Agreement,
and
shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends
or
other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the
sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered
to
the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for
the
surrender of Receipts, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such
Receipts in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement,
and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the
expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell
the
Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter
hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other
cash
then held by it thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest,
for
the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been
surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary
with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary
shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except
to
account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case,
the
fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the
account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions
of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges).
Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be
discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its
obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 of the Deposit
Agreement.
17
22. COMPLIANCE
WITH LAW.
The
Depositary agrees to comply with all applicable laws. Each Owner and
Holder agrees that it is bound by and subject to the Articles of Association
of
the Company as if such Owner or Holder were a holder of Shares, and each Owner
and Holder agrees to comply with all applicable provisions of German law and
the
Articles of Association of the Company with regard to notification to the
Company, the German Federal Supervisory Authority for Securities Trading
(Bundesaufsichtsamt für den Wertpapierhandel) and any additional governmental
authorities of such Owner's or Holder's interest in Shares, including any
provision requiring such Owner or Holder to disclose voting rights amounting
to,
exceeding or falling below, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 75 percent of the voting rights
in
the Company or such other percentage as may be required from time to time
pursuant to any provision of German law or otherwise.
Each
Owner and Holder acknowledges that failure by such Owner or Holder to provide
on
a timely basis any such required notification of such Owner's or Holder's voting
rights or interests in Shares will result in the withholding of voting rights
and the rights to receive dividends or other payments in respect of the Shares
represented by such American Depositary Shares for as long as such failure
continues.
Each
such
Owner or Holder required to provide the notification described above may deliver
such notification to the Depositary for forwarding to the Company. The
Depositary agrees to forward to the Company, as soon as practicable, any such
notifications received by the Depositary from any Owner or Holder.
23. DISCLOSURE
OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF RECEIPTS.
The
Company and the Depositary may from time to time request Owners and Holders
or
former Owners or former Holders to provide information as to the capacity in
which they hold or held Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons
then or previously interested in such Receipts and various other matters.
Each such Owner and Holder agrees to provide any such information
reasonably requested by the Company or the Depositary pursuant to Section 3.5
of
the Deposit Agreement and such agreement shall survive any disposition of such
Owner's or Holder's interest in Shares or Receipts.
24. COMPLIANCE
WITH U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Notwithstanding
anything in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, the Company
and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has
under
the Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited
Securities in a manner which would violate the U.S. securities laws, including,
but not limited to, Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form
F-6
Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities
Act
of 1933.
18