Exhibit 4.3(a)
Indenture
DATEDASOF [ ], 20[ ]
AMONG
Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,
The Subsidiary Guarantors Named on Schedule I Hereto,
AND
Regions Bank,
AS TRUSTEE
[ ]% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTESDUE [ ]
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |
310 (a)(1) | 6.10 | |
(a)(2) | 6.10 | |
(a)(3) | N.A. | |
(a)(4) | N.A. | |
(a)(5) | 6.10 | |
(b) | 6.10 | |
(c) | N.A. | |
311 (a) | 6.11 | |
(b) | 6.11 | |
(c) | N.A. | |
312 (a) | 2.05 | |
(b) | 11.03 | |
(c) | 11.03 | |
313 (a) | 6.06 | |
(b)(1) | N.A. | |
(b)(2) | 6.06; 6.07 | |
(c) | 6.06; 11.02 | |
(d) | 6.06 | |
314 (a) | 4.03 | |
(b) | N.A. | |
(c)(1) | 11.04 | |
(c)(2) | 11.04 | |
(c)(3) | N.A. | |
(d) | N.A. | |
(e) | 11.05 | |
(f) | N.A. | |
315 (a) | 6.01 | |
(b) | 6.05; 11.02 | |
(c) | 6.01 | |
(d) | 6.01 | |
(e) | 5.12 | |
316 (a)(last sentence) | 2.09 | |
(a)(1)(A) | 5.05 | |
(a)(1)(B) | 5.04 | |
(a)(2) | N.A. | |
(b) | 5.08 | |
(c) | 1.05(e); 8.04 | |
317 (a)(1) | 5.08 | |
(a)(2) | 5.10 | |
(b) | 2.04 | |
318 (a) | 11.01 | |
(b) | N.A. | |
(c) | 11.01 |
N.A. means not applicable.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
Article I. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | |||||
Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 10 | ||||
Section 1.03 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 10 | ||||
Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction | 10 | ||||
Section 1.05 | Acts of Holders | 11 | ||||
Article II. THE NOTES | 12 | |||||
Section 2.01 | Form and Dating; Terms | 12 | ||||
Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication | 13 | ||||
Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 14 | ||||
Section 2.04 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 14 | ||||
Section 2.05 | Holder Lists | 15 | ||||
Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 15 | ||||
Section 2.07 | Replacement Notes | 18 | ||||
Section 2.08 | Outstanding Notes | 18 | ||||
Section 2.09 | Treasury Notes | 18 | ||||
Section 2.10 | Temporary Notes | 19 | ||||
Section 2.11 | Cancellation | 19 | ||||
Section 2.12 | Defaulted Cash Interest | 19 | ||||
Section 2.13 | CUSIP and ISIN Numbers | 20 | ||||
Article III. REDEMPTION | 20 | |||||
Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee | 20 | ||||
Section 3.02 | Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased | 20 | ||||
Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 21 | ||||
Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 22 | ||||
Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price | 22 | ||||
Section 3.06 | Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part | 23 | ||||
Article IV. COVENANTS | 23 | |||||
Section 4.01 | Payment of Notes | 23 | ||||
Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 23 | ||||
Section 4.03 | Reports and Other Information | 24 | ||||
Section 4.04 | Compliance Certificate | 24 | ||||
Section 4.05 | Taxes | 25 | ||||
Section 4.06 | Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 25 | ||||
Section 4.07 | Subsidiary Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries | 25 | ||||
Section 4.08 | Maintenance of Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties | 25 | ||||
Section 4.09 | Further Instruments and Acts | 26 |
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Article V. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 26 | |||||
Section 5.01 | Events of Default | 26 | ||||
Section 5.02 | Acceleration | 28 | ||||
Section 5.03 | Other Remedies | 28 | ||||
Section 5.04 | Waiver of Existing Defaults | 28 | ||||
Section 5.05 | Control by Majority | 29 | ||||
Section 5.06 | Limitation on Suits | 29 | ||||
Section 5.07 | Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment | 29 | ||||
Section 5.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 30 | ||||
Section 5.09 | Restoration of Rights and Remedies | 30 | ||||
Section 5.10 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 30 | ||||
Section 5.11 | Priorities | 31 | ||||
Section 5.12 | Undertaking for Costs | 31 | ||||
Article VI. TRUSTEE | 31 | |||||
Section 6.01 | Duties of Trustee | 31 | ||||
Section 6.02 | Rights of Trustee | 32 | ||||
Section 6.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 34 | ||||
Section 6.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 34 | ||||
Section 6.05 | Notice of Defaults | 34 | ||||
Section 6.06 | Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes | 34 | ||||
Section 6.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 35 | ||||
Section 6.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 36 | ||||
Section 6.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 36 | ||||
Section 6.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 37 | ||||
Section 6.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 37 | ||||
Article VII. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 37 | |||||
Section 7.01 | Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations | 37 | ||||
Section 7.02 | Survival of the Company’s Obligations | 39 | ||||
Section 7.03 | Application of Trust Money | 40 | ||||
Section 7.04 | Repayment to the Company | 40 | ||||
Section 7.05 | Reinstatement | 40 | ||||
Article VIII. AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS | 41 | |||||
Section 8.01 | With Consent of Majority; Without Consent of Holders | 41 | ||||
Section 8.02 | With Consent of all Affected Holders | 41 | ||||
Section 8.03 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 42 |
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Section 8.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 42 | ||||
Section 8.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 43 | ||||
Section 8.06 | Trustee to Sign Amendments | 43 | ||||
Article IX. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES; RELEASE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS | 44 | |||||
Section 9.01 | Subsidiary Guarantee. | 44 | ||||
Section 9.02 | Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee | 45 | ||||
Section 9.03 | Additional Subsidiary Guarantors | 46 | ||||
Section 9.04 | Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor | 46 | ||||
Section 9.05 | Waiver of Subrogation; Right of Contribution | 47 | ||||
Article X. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | 48 | |||||
Section 10.01 | Satisfaction and Discharge | 48 | ||||
Section 10.02 | Application of Trust Money | 49 | ||||
Article XI. SUBORDINATION OF NOTES | 49 | |||||
Section 11.01 | Subordination Provisions | 49 | ||||
Article XII. MISCELLANEOUS | 49 | |||||
Section 12.01 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 49 | ||||
Section 12.02 | Notices | 50 | ||||
Section 12.03 | Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes | 51 | ||||
Section 12.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 51 | ||||
Section 12.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 51 | ||||
Section 12.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 51 | ||||
Section 12.07 | No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers, Directors or Employees | 52 | ||||
Section 12.08 | Governing Law | 52 | ||||
Section 12.09 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 52 | ||||
Section 12.10 | Force Majeure | 52 | ||||
Section 12.11 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 52 | ||||
Section 12.12 | Successors | 52 | ||||
Section 12.13 | Severability | 53 | ||||
Section 12.14 | Counterpart Originals | 53 | ||||
Section 12.15 | Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 53 | ||||
Section 12.16 | Qualification of Indenture | 53 |
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SCHEDULES
Schedule 1 Subsidiary Guarantors
EXHIBITS
[Exhibit A Form of Notes]
[Exhibit B Form of Certificate of Transfer]
[Exhibit C Form of Certificate of Exchange]
[Exhibit D Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors]
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INDENTURE, dated as of [ ], 20[ ], among Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) listed on the signature pages hereto and Regions Bank, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $[ ] aggregate principal amount of [ ]% Senior Subordinated Notes due [ ]; and
WHEREAS, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
Article I.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“Additional Notes” means Notes (other than the Notes issued on the Issue Date and Notes issued in replacement or exchange thereof) issued pursuant to Article II hereof and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this Indenture, each executive officer and director of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company will be an Affiliate of the Company. In addition, for purposes of this Indenture, control of a 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Affiliate” will not include, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary which is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
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“Authentication Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Book Value” means, with respect to any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the book value thereof as reflected in the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Company filed with the SEC (or if such asset has been acquired after the date of such financial statements, the then-current book value thereof as reasonably determined by the Company consistent with recent practices).
“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations, or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, Preferred Stock and partnership and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).
“Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such obligation will be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or any successor securities clearance agency.
“Common Equity” of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such Person, or (ii) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management and policies of such Person.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by an Officer of the Company.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Company or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Company).
“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper or letter of credit facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other Indebtedness (including the Revolving Credit Facility), including any notes, mortgages, deeds of trust, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements,
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modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures, credit facilities, letter of credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.
“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the Holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the final maturity date of the Notes.
“Euroclear” means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system or any successor securities clearance agency.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Fair Market Value” means with respect to any asset or property the sale value that would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company acting in good faith and shall be evidenced by a board resolution (certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company) or an officer’s certificate of the principal financial officer of the Company delivered to the Trustee.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and interpretations of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect from time to time. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided herein); provided that any such election, once made, shall be
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irrevocable; provided, further, any calculation or determination herein that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(c) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate swap agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, interest rate collar agreement, option or futures contract or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to interest rates or foreign exchange rates.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Security Register.
“IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board.
“Incur” (and derivatives thereof) means to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee, extend the maturity of, or otherwise become liable with respect to any Indebtedness; provided, however, that neither the accrual of interest (whether such interest is payable in cash or kind) nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
“Indebtedness” of any Person at any date means, without duplication,
(i) | all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); |
(ii) | all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (including a purchase money obligation) given in connection with the acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind or with services incurred in connection with capital expenditures (other than any obligation to pay a contingent purchase price which, as of the date of incurrence thereof, is not required to be recorded as a liability in accordance with GAAP); |
(iii) | all fixed obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto (other than standby letters of credit or similar instruments issued for the benefit of, or surety, performance, completion or payment bonds, earnest money notes or similar purpose undertakings or indemnifications issued by, such Person in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the Company)); |
(iv) | all obligations of such Person with respect to Hedging Obligations (other than those that fix or cap the interest rate on variable rate Indebtedness otherwise permitted by this Indenture or that fix the exchange rate in connection with Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency and otherwise permitted by this Indenture); |
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(v) | all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; |
(vi) | all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; |
(vii) | all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by, or otherwise the liability of, such Person to the extent of such guarantee or liability; and |
(viii) | all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person (the amount of Indebtedness represented by any Disqualified Stock will equal the greater of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends); provided, that Indebtedness shall not include accrued expenses, trade payables, liabilities related to inventory not owned, customer deposits or deferred income taxes arising in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the Company). The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be: |
(A) | the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above; |
(B) | the maximum liability of such Person for any contingent obligations under clause (vii) above; and |
(C) | in the case of clause (vi) (if the Indebtedness referred to therein is not assumed by such Person), the lesser of the (A) Fair Market Value of all assets subject to a Lien securing the Indebtedness of others on the date that the Lien attaches and (B) amount of the Indebtedness secured. |
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
“Interest Payment Date” means [ ] and [ ] of each year to stated maturity, commencing [ ].
“Investments” of any Person means all (i) investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person by such Person, (iii) purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP. For all purposes of this Indenture, the amount of any such Investment shall be the fair market value thereof (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value). The making of any payment in accordance with the terms of a guarantee or other contingent obligation permitted under this Indenture shall not be considered an Investment.
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“Issue Date” means [ ], the initial date of issuance of the Notes under this Indenture.
“Legal Holiday” means Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Atlanta, Georgia or at a place of payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment shall be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or other similar encumbrance of any kind upon or in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement).
“Material Subsidiary” means [ ] for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to any Default or Event of Default.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to its debt rating business.
“Non-Recourse Indebtedness” with respect to any Person means Indebtedness of such Person for which (i) the sole legal recourse for collection of principal and interest on such Indebtedness is against the specific property identified in the instruments evidencing or securing such Indebtedness and such property was acquired (directly or indirectly, including through the purchase of Capital Stock of the Person owning such property) with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or such Indebtedness was Incurred within 90 days after the acquisition (directly or indirectly, including through the purchase of Capital Stock of the Person owning such property) of such property and (ii) no other assets of such Person may be realized upon in collection of principal or interest on such Indebtedness. Indebtedness which is otherwise Non-Recourse Indebtedness will not lose its character as Non-Recourse Indebtedness because there is recourse to the borrower, any guarantor or any other Person for (a) environmental warranties, covenants and indemnities, (b) indemnities for and liabilities arising from fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication or non-payment of rents, profits, deposits, insurance and condemnation proceeds and other sums actually received by the borrower from secured assets to be paid to the lender, waste and mechanics’ liens, breach of separateness covenants, and other customary exceptions or (c) in the case of the borrower thereof only, other obligations in respect of such Indebtedness that are payable solely as a result of a voluntary or collusive non-voluntary bankruptcy filing (or similar filing or action) by such borrower.
“Notes” means the Notes as set forth in the recitals and more particularly means any Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Notes” for all purposes of this Indenture include any Additional Notes that are actually issued.
“Obligations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations (whether in existence on the Issue Date or arising afterwards, absolute or contingent, direct or indirect) for or in respect of principal (when due, upon acceleration, upon redemption, upon mandatory repayment or repurchase pursuant to a mandatory offer to purchase, or otherwise), premium, interest,
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penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursement and other amounts payable and liabilities with respect to such Indebtedness, including all interest accrued or accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or similar case or proceeding at the contract rate (including, without limitation, any contract rate applicable upon default) specified in the relevant documentation, whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such case or proceeding.
“Officer” means the chairman, the chief executive officer, the president, the chief financial officer, the chief operating officer, the chief accounting officer, the treasurer, or any assistant treasurer, the controller, the secretary, any assistant secretary or any vice president of a Person.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Person’s chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer or chief accounting officer.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or interest on the Notes at the office or agency where Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees may be presented for payment.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or other agency or political subdivision thereof, or other entity of any kind.
“Preferred Stock” of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person which has a preference in liquidation or with respect to the payment of dividends.
“Record Date” for the interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means [ ] or [ ] (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
“Registrar” means an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company which is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Revolving Credit Facility” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2022, among the Company, the several lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as an issuing lender and administrative agent, and as such facility may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Security Register” is a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange kept by the Registrar.
“Senior Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness which is senior in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be.
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness which is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be.
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any (i) corporation of which at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of all classes of the Common Equity is directly or indirectly beneficially owned by such Person and (ii) any entity other than a corporation of which such Person, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns at least a majority of the Common Equity; provided that in each of case (i) and (ii), such Person is required to consolidate such entity in accordance with GAAP.
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means the guarantee of the Notes by each Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture.
“Subsidiary Guarantors” means (i) each of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date and (ii) each of the Company’s Subsidiaries that becomes a guarantor of the Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, in each case until released from its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
“Trustee” means the party named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor trustee serving under this Indenture.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means each of the Subsidiaries of the Company (including any newly formed or acquired Subsidiary) so designated by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as provided below and provided that:
(a) | neither the Company nor any of its other Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) (1) provides any direct or indirect credit support for any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness) or (2) is directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary; |
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(b) | the creditors with respect to Indebtedness for borrowed money of such Subsidiary have agreed in writing that they have no recourse, direct or indirect, to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries or the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries), including, without limitation, recourse with respect to the payment of principal or interest on any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary; and |
(c) | no default with respect to any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary (including any right which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against such Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company and of its other Subsidiaries (other than other Unrestricted Subsidiaries), to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity. |
Subject to the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Company also may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) the Restricted Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less at the time of designation, or (b) with respect to any other Restricted Subsidiary, at the time of such designation:
(i) | all previous Investments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Restricted Subsidiary (net of any returns previously paid on such Investments) will be deemed to be Investments at the time of such designation and such Investments must be permitted at such time under this Indenture; and |
(ii) | no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing. |
Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company will be evidenced to the Trustee by the filing with the Trustee of a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions and setting forth the underlying calculations.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
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“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) a Subsidiary of which 100% of the Common Equity (except for directors’ qualifying shares or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is not in excess of what is required for such purpose) is owned directly by such Person or through one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii) any entity other than a corporation in which such Person, directly or indirectly, owns all of the Common Equity of such entity.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Term | Defined in Section | |||
“Covenant Defeasance” | 7.01 | |||
“DTC” | 2.03 | |||
“Event of Default” | 5.01 | |||
“Legal Defeasance” | 7.01 | |||
“Note Register” | 2.03 |
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Notes;
“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and “obligor” on the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees means the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
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(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or” is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(e) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;
(f) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(g) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(h) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and
(i) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision.
Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 6.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.
(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
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(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(e) The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders, but shall have no obligation to do so.
(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.
(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including the Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and the Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(h) The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by the Depositary entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, but shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 180 days after such record date.
Article II.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
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(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions and transfers of interests. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form or any successor entity thereof, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(c) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Company without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, waivers, amendments, offers to purchase, redemption or otherwise as the Notes; provided that the Company’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Company’s compliance with the terms of this Indenture. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form provided for in Exhibit A attached hereto, as the case may be, by the manual or facsimile signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
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On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver the Notes.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain a Registrar and a Paying Agent with respect to each series of Notes. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as custodian with respect to the Global Notes. The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent; and the Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company, all in accordance with the terms of Section 6.08 hereof.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
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Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b).
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require the transferor of such beneficial interest to deliver to the Registrar (A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(d) hereof.
(c) Legends. The following legend shall appear on the face of all Global Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(d) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY (OR A NOMINEE THEREOF) WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED
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EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL IN AS MUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
(d) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(e) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06 and 8.05 hereof).
(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
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(iv) All Global Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.
(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or by electronic means.
(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Notes other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Company and the Trustee and Company receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
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Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy cancelled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Company as requested in writing by the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12 Defaulted Cash Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of cash interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted cash interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall send to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.
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Section 2.13 CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP or ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers.
Article III.
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section [ ], it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days, unless a shorter period shall be agreed to by the Trustee, before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes, as the case may be, to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.
In the event less than all of the Notes, are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed or purchased (a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed, (b) on a pro rata basis or (c) by lot or by any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate, unless otherwise required by law or regulatory requirements. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not $2,000 or a multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.
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Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
The Company shall send notices of redemption at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same Indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note;
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
Notice of any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.03 upon any corporate transaction or other event may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any redemption pursuant to this Article III or notice thereof may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction or other event. If any redemption is so subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, the notice thereof shall describe each such condition and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), and/or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed, and/or that such notice may be rescinded at any time by the Company if the Company determines in its sole discretion that any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied (or waived). In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
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At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 2 Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
Prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly as practicable return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to such Interest Payment Date shall be paid, on such Interest Payment Date, to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date (and the Holder entitled to the related redemption price shall not be entitled to such accrued and unpaid interest, unless such Holder is such Person). If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
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Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same Indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.
Article IV.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and cash interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary, holds as of noon Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due; provided, however, that money held by the Paying Agent for the benefit of holders of Senior Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of Article XI shall not be considered paid within the meaning of this Section 4.01.
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.
(a) As long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee and mail to each Holder within 15 days after the filing of the same with the SEC copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports with respect to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any, which the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall continue to file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Holders with such annual and quarterly reports and such information, documents and other reports with respect to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as are required under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If filing of documents by the Company with the SEC as aforementioned in this paragraph is not permitted under the Exchange Act, the Company shall promptly upon written request supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall also comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4.03 shall not require the Company to file any such reports, information or documents with the SEC within any specified time period and the obligation to deliver such reports, information or documents to the Trustee and Holders shall only arise after (and only to the extent) such reports, information or documents are filed with the SEC.
(b) The Company shall furnish to the Trustee, with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, written notice of any change (within 10 days following such change) in such Person’s (i) legal name, (ii) jurisdiction of organization or formation, (iii) identity or corporate structure, or (iv) organizational identification number.
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee a quarterly statement regarding compliance with the provisions under this Indenture, and include in such statement, if any Officer of the Company is aware of any Default or Event of Default, a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. In addition, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default and any other development, financial or otherwise, which might materially affect its business, properties or affairs or the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Indenture.
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Section 4.05 Taxes.
The Company shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07 Subsidiary Guarantees by Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company is permitted to cause any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Subsidiary Guarantor. If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates a Restricted Subsidiary (other than, in the Company’s discretion, any Restricted Subsidiary the assets of which have a Book Value of not more than $[ ] million) after the Issue Date, such Restricted Subsidiary shall execute a guarantee substantially in the form included in Exhibit A, execute a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D, and deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee to the effect that the supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the new Restricted Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the new Restricted Subsidiary, enforceable against the new Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions).
Section 4.08 Maintenance of Corporate Existence; Maintenance of Properties.
(a) The Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Company in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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(b) The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of their properties for value in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.09 Further Instruments and Acts.
Upon request of the Trustee, the Company will execute and deliver to the Trustee such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
[Include additional covenants as applicable.]
Article V.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 5.01 Events of Default.
(a) An “Event of Default” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events:
(i) the failure by the Company to pay interest on any Note when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for a period of 30 days;
(ii) the failure by the Company to pay the principal or premium of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(iii) the failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to comply with any of its agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture and such failure continues for the period and after the notice specified below;
(iv) the acceleration of any Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has an outstanding principal amount of $[ ] million or more in the aggregate;
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(v) the failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any principal or interest payment in respect of Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with an outstanding aggregate amount of $[ ] million or more within five days of such principal or interest payment becoming due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period set forth in the documents governing such Indebtedness); provided, that if such failure to pay shall be remedied, waived or extended, then the Event of Default hereunder shall be deemed likewise to be remedied, waived or extended without further action by the Company;
(vi) a final judgment or judgments that exceed $[ ] million or more in the aggregate, for the payment of money, having been entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and such judgment or judgments is not satisfied, stayed, annulled or rescinded within 60 days of being entered;
(vii) the Company or any Material Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(viii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Material Subsidiary as debtor in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Material Subsidiary or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Material Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Material Subsidiary and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or
(ix) any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Material Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture) or is declared null and void and unenforceable or found to be invalid or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Material Subsidiary denies its liability under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee).
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(b) A Default under Section 5.01(a)(iii) hereof will not be deemed an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and the Company does not cure the Default within 60 days after receipt of the notice of a Default under Section 5.01(a)(iii). The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.” If such a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases.
(c) The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except any Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest on the Notes) if the Trustee determines that withholding such notice is in the Holders’ interest.
Section 5.02 Acceleration.
(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in sub- clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 5.01(a) above) shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Notes, as determined pursuant to this Section 5.02, will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default with respect to the Company specified in sub-clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 5.01(a) above occurs, such an amount will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.
(b) In the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated pursuant to Section 5.02(a) hereof, 100% of the principal amount of the Notes will become due and payable plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of payment.
Section 5.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 5.04 Waiver of Existing Defaults.
Subject to Section 8.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of then-outstanding Notes on behalf of all the Holders of the Notes by written notice to the Trustee and the Company may waive any Default or Event of Default (other than any Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) on the Notes under this Indenture. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 5.05 Control by Majority.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or in its exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided, however, that such direction does not conflict with the terms of this Indenture. The Holders may not enforce the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees except as provided in this Indenture. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture; (ii) that, subject to Section 6.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or (iii) that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all costs, losses, liabilities and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
Section 5.06 Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 5.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(b) Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) Holders of the Notes have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such use of this Indenture prejudices the rights of such Holder or obtains a preference or priority over such Holder).
Section 5.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, but subject to Article XI of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
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Section 5.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(a)(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, counsel, accountants and experts.
Section 5.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.
Section 5.10 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, counsel, accountants and experts) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Subsidiary Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, counsel, accountants and experts, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents, counsel, accountants and experts, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
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Section 5.11 Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article V, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
(a) to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 6.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
(b) to Holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent required by Article XI;
(c) to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
(d) to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Subsidiary Guarantor, if applicable.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 5.11.
Section 5.12 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 5.12 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 5.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
Article VI.
TRUSTEE
Section 6.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
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(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any such opinion or certificates, including mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 6.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this Section 6.01.
(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 6.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any certificate, notice, order, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
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(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.
(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order.
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Section 6.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 6.10 and 6.11 hereof.
Section 6.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes of any series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.
Section 6.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is not opposed to the interests of the Holders of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and such notice refers to the Notes and this Indenture.
Section 6.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed or cease to be listed on any stock exchange.
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Section 6.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts.
The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, suit, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors (including this Section 6.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the payment obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Section 6.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 5.01(a)(vii) or (viii)_hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents, counsel, accountants and experts) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
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Section 6.08 Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 6.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 6.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense), the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 6.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 6.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 6.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 6.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
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Section 6.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).
Section 6.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
Article VII.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 7.01 Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government Obligations.
(a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Notes upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in paragraph (d).
(b) Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 7.01(a) of the option applicable to this clause (b), the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have been released and discharged from their respective obligations, and the provisions of Article XI shall cease to be effective, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees on the date the applicable conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of the Sections and matters under this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in paragraph (d) below and as more fully set forth in such paragraph, payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such Notes when such payments are due and (ii) obligations listed in Section 7.02, subject to compliance with this Section 7.01. The Company may exercise its option under this paragraph (b) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under paragraph below with respect to such Notes.
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(c) Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 7.01(a) of the option applicable to this clause (c), the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be released and discharged from the obligations under any covenant contained in Sections [ ], and the provisions of Article XI shall cease to be effective, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding” for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.01(a)(iii), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise of under Section 7.01(a) of the option applicable to this Section 7.01(c), subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.01(d), Sections 5.01(a)(iii), (iv), and (vi) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
(d) The following shall be the conditions to application of either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Notes:
(i) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 6.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article VII applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Notes, (1) cash in U.S. dollars, or (2) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Notes, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Notes on the maturity date of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Notes on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Notes.
(ii) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
(iii) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Section 5.01(a)(vi) and Section 5.01(a)(vii) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).
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(iv) In the case of an election under Section 7.01(b), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.
(v) In the case of an election under Section 7.01(c), the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.
(vi) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 7.01(b) or the covenant defeasance under Section 7.01(c) (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s opinion under Section 7.01(b) or Section 7.01(c) (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.
(vii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 7.01, such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 2.01.
In the event all or any portion of the Notes are to be redeemed through such irrevocable trust, the Company must make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time of such deposit, for the giving of the notice of such redemption or redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.02 Survival of the Company’s Obligations.
Notwithstanding any Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture under Section 10.01, the Company’s obligations under Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 6.07, 6.08, 7.04 and 7.05, however, shall survive until no Notes are outstanding. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations under Sections 6.07, 7.04 and 7.05 shall survive.
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Section 7.03 Application of Trust Money.
The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 7.01. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes. Money deposited pursuant to this Section 7.03 not in violation of this Indenture shall not be subject to claims of the Holders of Senior Indebtedness under Article XI.
Section 7.04 Repayment to the Company.
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or mail to each such Holder notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company, Holders of Notes entitled to the money must look to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another person and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
Section 7.05 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 7.01 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 7.01; provided, however, that (a) if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money or U.S. Government Obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.
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Article VIII.
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 8.01 With Consent of Majority; Without Consent of Holders.
Subject to Section 8.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and any existing Default or Event of Default (other than any continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on or the principal of the Notes) under, or compliance with any provision of, this Indenture may be waived with the consent (which may include consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Notes) of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes or waive any provisions hereof or thereof without notice to or consent of any Holder of Notes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to, or in place of, certificated Notes;
(c) to provide for any Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes when such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture;
(d) to add covenants or new events of default for the protection of the Holders of the Notes;
(e) to make any change that does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights under this Indenture of any Holder; or
(f) to comply with or qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
After an amendment under this Section 8.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail notice of such amendment to the affected Holders of Notes. The failure to give such notice to all Holders or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 8.01.
Section 8.02 With Consent of all Affected Holders.
Without the consent of each Holder of Notes affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 5.04 of this Indenture or the Notes, may not:
(a) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
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(b) reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest, including default interest, on any Note;
(c) reduce the principal of, or change the fixed maturity of, any Note or alter the provisions with respect to redemption under Section [ ] hereof;
(d) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note;
(e) make any change in Sections 5.04, 4.01 or 8.02;
(f) modify the ranking or priority of the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(g) release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture otherwise than in accordance with the terms contained herein, or
(h) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 8.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After the issuance of any Notes, an amendment under this Section 8.02 or under Section 8.01 may not make any change that adversely affects in any material respect the rights under Article XI of the Holders of Senior Indebtedness, unless such Holders of Senior Indebtedness consent to the change.
The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of Notes with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Trustee in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Section 8.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 8.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of Notes or portion of Notes that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders’ Notes, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. Subject to the following paragraph, any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Notes or portion of Notes. Such revocation shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.
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The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Notes entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses of Section 8.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of Notes who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of Notes or portion of Notes that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Notes; provided that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.
Section 8.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of the Notes, the Company may require the Holder of the Notes to deliver it to the Trustee, at which time the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Notes about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Notes shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms.
Section 8.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company in accordance with its terms.
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Article IX.
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES; RELEASE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
Section 9.01 Subsidiary Guarantee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article IX, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, that: (i) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be duly and punctually paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by law) interest, if any, on the Notes and all other obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder (including fees, expenses or other) and all other obligations with respect to the Notes and this Indenture will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed, or failing performance of any other obligation of the Company to the Holders, for whatever reason, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be obligated, jointly and severally with each other Subsidiary Guarantor, to pay, or to perform or cause the performance of, the same immediately. An Event of Default under this Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under this Article IX, and shall entitle the Holders of Notes to accelerate the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as the obligations of the Company.
(b) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be continuing, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder or the Trustee with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, any release of any other Subsidiary Guarantor, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same, whether or not a Subsidiary Guarantee is affixed to any particular Note, or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby waives the benefit of diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes, this Indenture and this Article IX. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company or to any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, this Article IX, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees
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that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) subject to this Article IX, the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article V hereof for the purposes of this Article IX, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article V hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors for the purpose of this Article IX.
(c) This Article IX shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company for liquidation or reorganization, should the Company become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Company’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Subsidiary Guarantees shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
(d) Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be limited to the maximum amount which, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, will result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor and its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or obligation under federal or state law.
Section 9.02 Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee.
(a) To further evidence the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 9.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee, substantially in the form included in Exhibit A hereto, shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee after such Subsidiary Guarantee is executed and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Note.
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(b) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in Section 9.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.
(c) If an Officer of a Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Note or at any time thereafter, such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee of such Note shall be valid nevertheless.
(d) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantor.
Section 9.03 Additional Subsidiary Guarantors.
Any Person may become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Trustee (a) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee which subjects such Person to the provisions of this Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor, and (b) an Officers’ Certificate certifying such supplemental indenture complies with all conditions precedent under this indenture and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized and executed by such Person and constitutes the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Person (subject to such customary exceptions concerning fraudulent conveyance laws, creditors’ rights and equitable principles as may be acceptable to the Trustee in its discretion).
Section 9.04 Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor.
(a) If all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor or all (or a portion sufficient to cause such Subsidiary Guarantor to no longer be a Subsidiary of the Company) of the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor is sold (including by consolidation, merger, issuance or otherwise) or disposed of (including by liquidation, dissolution or otherwise) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, unless the Company elects otherwise, if any Subsidiary Guarantor is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, then such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor or a designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or the Person acquiring such assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from any of its obligations under this Indenture without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes.
(b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor upon receipt of a written request of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel each certifying as to the compliance with this Section 9.04. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released or the entity surviving such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will remain or be liable under its Subsidiary Guarantee as provided in this Article IX.
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(c) The Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in order to evidence the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee endorsed on the Notes and under this Article IX.
(d) Except as set forth in Article IV hereof and this Section 9.04, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Subsidiary Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor.
Section 9.05 Waiver of Subrogation; Right of Contribution.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 9.05(b) below, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any claim or other rights which it may now or hereafter acquire against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Article IX and this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, indemnification, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Holder of Notes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity, or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim or other rights. If any amount shall be paid to any Subsidiary Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence and the Notes shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall have been deemed to have been paid to such Subsidiary Guarantor for the benefit of, and held in trust for the benefit of, the Holders of the Notes, and shall forthwith be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of such Holders to be credited and applied upon the Notes, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture. Each Subsidiary Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the waiver set forth in this Section 9.05 is knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 9.05(a), each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount pro rata, based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.
(c) The obligations of each Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee and this Article IX shall be (a) junior and subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor and (b) senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, in each case on the same basis as the Notes and the obligations of the Company hereunder are junior and subordinated to all Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness. For the purposes of this Section 9.05, Article XI shall apply to the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee, this Article IX and the other provisions of this Indenture as if references therein to the Company, the Notes, Senior Indebtedness and Subordinated Indebtedness were references to such Guarantor, such Guarantor’s Guarantee, Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor and Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor, respectively.
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Article X.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 10.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:
(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or may be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
(iv) if applicable, the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
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In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to this Section 10.01(b), the provisions of Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 10.02 hereof shall survive.
Section 10.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.05 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Article XI.
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
Section 11.01 Subordination Provisions. [Subordination Provisions with respect to Subordinated Indebtedness to be provided here.]
Article XII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act, the imposed duties shall control.
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Section 12.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:
c/o Beazer Homes USA, Inc.
2002 Summit Boulevard NE, 15th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Attention: Keith L. Belknap
Email: keith.belknap@beazer.com
If to the Trustee:
Regions Bank
10245 Centurion Parkway, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attention: Shawn Bednasek
Email: shawn.bednasek@regions.com
The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
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Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).
Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
(a) Upon any written request or application by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
(i) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(ii) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact); and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
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Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers, Directors or Employees.
No recourse for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Notes, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture or in any of the Notes or because of the creation of any Indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, officer, director, employee or controlling person of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any successor Person thereof. Each Holder, by accepting such Notes waives and releases all such liability.
Section 12.08 Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 12.10 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.12 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.04 hereof.
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Section 12.13 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, etc..
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 12.16 Qualification of Indenture.
The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors any such Officers’ Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
[Signature pages follow]
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BEAZER HOMES USA, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: Allan P. Merrill | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
BH INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Allan P. Merrill | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
BEAZER HOMES HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Allan P. Merrill | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
BEAZER HOMES, LLC | ||
By: | ||
Name: Allan P. Merrill | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
BEAZER GENERAL SERVICES, INC. | ||
BEAZER HOMES INDIANA HOLDINGS CORP. | ||
BEAZER HOMES SALES, INC. | ||
BEAZER HOMES TEXAS HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
BEAZER REALTY CORP. | ||
BEAZER REALTY LOS ANGELES, INC. | ||
BH PROCUREMENT SERVICES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
BEAZER MORTGAGE CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
BEAZER FUNDAMENTAL, LLC | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES TEXAS HOLDINGS, INC., its Sole Member | |
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
BEAZER HOMES INDIANA LLP | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES INVESTMENTS, LLC, its Managing Partner | |
By: | BEAZER HOMES, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
BALLARD GREEN UTILITY COMPANY, LLC | ||
BEAZER CLARKSBURG, LLC | ||
DOVE BARRINGTON DEVELOPMENT LLC | ||
BEAZER HOMES INVESTMENTS, LLC | ||
BEAZER GAIN, LLC | ||
BH MATERIALS, LLC | ||
MARSHFIELD LAND, LLC | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES, LLC, its Sole Member | |
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
BEAZER HOMES TEXAS, L.P. | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES TEXAS HOLDINGS, INC., | |
its General Partner | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
BEAZER REALTY SERVICES, LLC | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES INVESTMENTS, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
BH BUILDING PRODUCTS, LP | ||
By: | BH PROCUREMENT SERVICES, INC., | |
its General Partner | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES TEXAS, L.P., | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES TEXAS HOLDINGS, INC., | |
its General Partner | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
CLARKSBURG ARORA LLC | ||
By: | BEAZER CLARKSBURG, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||
CLARKSBURG SKYLARK, LLC | ||
By: | CLARKSBURG ARORA LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | BEAZER CLARKSBURG, LLC, | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | BEAZER HOMES, LLC., | |
its Sole Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: David I. Goldberg | ||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
REGIONS BANK, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
SCHEDULE I
Subsidiary Guarantors
Ballard Green Utility Company, LLC
Beazer Clarksburg, LLC
Beazer Fundamental, LLC
Beazer Gain, LLC
Beazer General Services, Inc.
Beazer Homes Holdings, LLC
Beazer Homes Indiana Holdings Corp.
Beazer Homes Indiana LLP
Beazer Homes Investments, LLC
Beazer Homes Sales, Inc.
Beazer Homes Texas Holdings, Inc.
Beazer Homes Texas, L.P.
Beazer Homes, LLC
Beazer Mortgage Corporation
Beazer Realty Corp.
Beazer Realty Los Angeles, Inc.
Beazer Realty Services, LLC
BH Building Products, LP
BH Investment Holdings, LLC
BH Materials, LLC
BH Procurement Services, Inc.
Clarksburg Arora LLC
Clarksburg Skylark, LLC
Dove Barrington Development LLC
Marshfield Land, LLC
1