exchange for the global security. In addition, the applicable issuer may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by global securities and, in such event, will issue debt securities of such series in exchange for the global security.
Neither the applicable issuer, the trustee nor any paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests. No such person will be liable for any delay by the depositary or any of its participants in identifying the owners of beneficial interests in a global security, and the applicable issuer, the trustee and any paying agent may conclusively rely on instructions from the depositary or its nominee for all purposes.
Subordination
The debt securities may be senior or subordinated. Senior debt securities will rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt obligations except subordinated debt.
Subordinated debt securities will rank subordinated and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subordinated debt securities, to all the applicable issuer’s “senior debt” (which will be defined in the applicable prospectus supplement).
If the applicable issuer defaults in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, the applicable issuer cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities.
If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to the applicable issuer, its creditors or its property, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities.
Furthermore, if the applicable issuer defaults on the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the indenture, holders of all senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of the subordinated debt can receive any payments.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
The terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other of our securities will be detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at the applicable issuer’s option, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other of our securities to be received by the holders of the series of debt securities would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
The indenture provides that, except as otherwise provided in any prospectus supplement, the applicable issuer may consolidate with or merge into or wind up into another person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties or assets to another person, if, among other things:
| • | | the resulting, surviving or transferee person (if other than the applicable issuer) expressly assumes all the applicable issuer’s obligations under the debt securities and the indenture; and |
| • | | the applicable issuer or such successor person is not immediately thereafter in default under the indenture. |
-9-