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Exhibit 4.18
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of March 26, 1997
by and among
PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.
and
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
SMITH BARNEY INC.
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This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of March 26, 1997 by and among Prime Hospitality Corp., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and BT Securities Corporation, Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Montgomery Securities and Smith
Barney Inc. (each an "Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Initial
Purchasers"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 9 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Series A Notes") pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated
March 21, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and the
Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the
Series A Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set
forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 7 of
the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Affiliate: As defined in Rule 405 under the Act (as such Rule may be
amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted
by the Commission).
Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange
Act.
Business Day: Any day except Saturday, Sunday or other day in The
City of New York on which banks are authorized to close.
Closing Date: The date of this Agreement.
Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated"
for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and
effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the
maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the
keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company
to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Notes in the same aggregate
principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes that were
tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Damages Payment Date: With respect to the Notes, each Interest
Payment Date.
Effectiveness Target Date: As defined in Section 5.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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Exchange Notes: The Company's Series B 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2007 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture in the Exchange Offer.
Exchange Offer: The registration by the Company under the Act of the
Exchange Notes pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the
Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the
opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held
by such Holders for Exchange Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in
such exchange offer by such Holders.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers
propose to sell the Series A Notes to (i) certain "qualified institutional
buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, (ii) certain
institutional "accredited investors," as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1),
(2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Act and (iii) non-U.S. persons
outside the United States in reliance upon Regulation S under the Act.
Guarantor: Any Person which becomes a guarantor of Notes under the
Indenture, and each of its respective successors, which Person shall, by virtue
of become a Guarantor under the Indenture (as defined therein), automatically
and without the need of further action of any other Person become a Guarantor
hereunder.
Holders: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of the Closing Date, among the
Company and First National Bank Association, as trustee (the "Trustee") pursuant
to which the Notes are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: As defined in the preamble hereto.
Interest Payment Date: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.
Liquidated Damages: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Notes: The Series A Notes and the Exchange Notes.
Offering: The sale of the Series A Notes pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement.
Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or
unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision
thereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments
thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by
reference into such Prospectus.
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Record Holder: With respect to any Damages Payment Date relating to
Notes, each Person who is a Holder of Notes on the record date with respect to
the Interest Payment Date on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur.
Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or
(b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all
amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all
exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
Shelf Filing Deadline: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Series A Note until (i) the date
on which such Series A Note has been exchanged by a person other than a
Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note in the Exchange Offer, (ii) following the
exchange by a Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer of a Series A Note for an
Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a purchaser who
receives from such Broker-Dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of
the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) the
date on which such Series A Note has been effectively registered under the Act
and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (iv) the
date on which such Series A Note may be sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the
Act.
Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
SECTION 2. SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
(a) Transfer Restricted Securities. The securities entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities. A Person is deemed to
be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a "Holder") whenever such
Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under
applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section
6(a) below have been complied with), the Company and any Guarantors shall (i)
cause to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the Closing
Date, but in no event later than 30 days after the Closing Date, a Registration
Statement under the Act
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relating to the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Offer, (ii) use its best efforts
to cause such Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest
possible time, but in no event later than 135 days after the Closing Date, (iii)
in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration
Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to
such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause
all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of
the Exchange Notes to be made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as
are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer. The
Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the
Exchange Notes to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities
and to permit resales of Notes held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section
3(c) below.
(b) The Company and each Guarantor shall use its best efforts to
cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and
shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum
period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate
the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be
less than 20 business days. The Company and each Guarantor shall cause the
Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws.
No securities other than the Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement. The Company and each Guarantor shall use its best
efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest
practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become
effective, but in no event later than 30 business days thereafter.
(c) The Company and each Guarantor shall indicate in a "Plan of
Distribution" section contained in the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Notes that are
Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than
Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange
such Series A Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer
may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Act and must,
therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Act in
connection with any resales of the Exchange Notes received by such Broker-Dealer
in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by
the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement. Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also
contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers
that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant
thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not name any such Broker- Dealer
or disclose the amount of Notes held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the
extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy after the
date of this Agreement.
The Company and each Guarantor shall use its best efforts to keep the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) below to the extent
necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Notes acquired by
Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or
other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements
of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the
Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of 180 days from the
date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective.
The Company and each Guarantor shall provide sufficient copies of the
latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any
time during such 180-day period in order to facilitate such resales.
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(d) Upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 3, the Company and any Guarantors shall have no further obligation to
register Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement.
SECTION 4. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not
required or permitted to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to
Consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by
applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section
6(a) below have been complied with) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities shall notify the Company within 20 days following the Consummation of
the Exchange Offer (a "Shelf Notice") (A) that such Holder is prohibited by
applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, or
(B) that such Holder may not resell the Exchange Notes acquired by it in the
Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that in the
opinion of counsel to such Holder the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such
Holder, or (C) that such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, then the Company
and each Guarantor shall
(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (in either event, the "Shelf Registration
Statement"), on or prior to the earlier to occur of (1) the 30th day after
the date on which the Company determines that it is not required to file
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or (2) the 30th day after the
date on which the Company receives notice from a Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities as contemplated by clause (ii) above (such earliest
date being the "Shelf Filing Deadline"), which Shelf Registration
Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities
the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant
to Section 4(b) hereof; and
(y) use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the
105th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline.
The Company and each Guarantor shall use its best efforts to keep
such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the
extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Notes by the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this
Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this
Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as
announced from time to time, for a period of at least three years following the
Closing Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration have been sold pursuant
to the Shelf Registration Statement.
(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with
the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, such
information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any
Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included
therein and in any application to be filed with NASD. No
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Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to Liquidated Damages
pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall have used its
best efforts to provide all such reasonably requested information. Each Holder
as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement
is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
filing in this Agreement, (ii) any of such Registration Statements has not been
declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement (the "Effectiveness Target Date"), (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated within 30 business days after the
Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed
and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be
usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within 5 Business Days
by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such
failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), the Company
and each Guarantor hereby agrees jointly and severally that liquidated damages
("Liquidated Damages") shall accrue on the principal amount of each Transfer
Restricted Security so effected by a Registration Default at a rate of .50% per
annum with respect to the first 90-day period (or any portion thereof)
immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of
the Liquidated Damages shall increase by an additional .50% per annum with
respect to each subsequent 90-day period (or any portion thereof) until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of Liquidated
Damages of 1.0% per annum on the principal amount of such Transfer Restricted
Securities. All accrued Liquidated Damages shall be paid to applicable Record
Holders by the Company or any Guarantor in the same manner in which payments of
interest are made pursuant to the Indenture. Following the cure of all
Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities,
the accrual of liquidated damages with respect to such Transfer Restricted
Securities will cease.
All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the
preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted
Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security
shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such
security shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Company and each Guarantor shall comply with all of the
provisions of Section 6(c) below, shall use its best efforts to effect such
exchange and to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof and shall
comply with all of the following provisions:
(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there
is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable
law, the Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to seek a no-action
letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the
Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Series
A Notes. The Company and
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the Guarantors hereby agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to
the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially
unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. The Company
and the Guarantors hereby agree, however, to (A) participate in telephonic
conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an
analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases,
if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer
should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a resolution (which need not
be favorable) by the Commission staff of such submission.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company or
any Guarantor, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation
to the Company and the Guarantors (which may be contained in the letter of
transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to
the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company or any
Guarantor, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and
has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a
distribution of the Exchange Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and
(C) it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its ordinary course of business.
In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
otherwise cooperate in the Company's preparations for the Exchange Offer.
Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any
such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of
the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under
Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the
position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc.
(available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available
May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman &
Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if
applicable, any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above),
and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction
and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K
if the resales are of Exchange Notes obtained by such Holder in exchange
for Series A Notes acquired by such Holder directly from the Company and
the Guarantors or an affiliate thereof.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company shall provide a supplemental letter to the
Commission (A) stating that the Company and the Guarantors are registering
the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission
enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988),
Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and, if applicable,
any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including
a representation that neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered
into any arrangement or understanding with any Person to distribute the
Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best
of the Company's and each Guarantor's information and belief, each Holder
participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Exchange Notes in its
ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with
any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes
received in the Exchange Offer and (C) including any other undertaking or
representation reasonably required by the Commission as set forth in any
no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above.
(b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the
provisions of Section 6(c) below and shall use their best efforts to effect such
registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being
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sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof
(as indicated in the information provided to the Company pursuant to Section
4(b) hereof), and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantors will as
expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a Registration
Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Act,
which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof within
the time periods and otherwise in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration Statement
and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of
Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration
Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Series A
Notes by Broker-Dealers), the Company and each Guarantor shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements
(including, if required by the Act or any regulation thereunder, financial
statements of any Guarantor) for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of
this Agreement, as applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would
cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein
(A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be
effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during
the period required by this Agreement, the Company and each Guarantor
shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration
Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or
omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use its best
efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for
their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable
period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter
period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered
by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and to comply fully with
the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Act in a timely
manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act with respect to the
disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders
promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in
writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the
same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for
amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to
the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the Registration Statement under the Act or of any notice of suspension
by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or any
notice of initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes,
(D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes
any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document
incorporated by reference
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therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes
in the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not
misleading, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in
the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time
the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other
regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or
exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company and the Guarantors shall
use their best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order
at the earliest possible time;
(iv) to the extent reasonably practicable, furnish to each of
the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing
with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any
Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated
by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement),
which documents will be subject to the review of such Holders and
underwriter(s), if any, for a period of at least five business days, and
the Company and the Guarantors will not file any such Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which a selling Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the
underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object within five business days
after the receipt thereof. A selling Holder or underwriter, if any, shall
be deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed
to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
(v) to the extent reasonably practicable, promptly prior to the
filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a
Registration Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document to
the selling Holders and to the underwriter(s), if any, make the Company's
representatives (and representatives of any Guarantor) available for
discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and
include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as
such selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant
to such Registration Statement, and any attorney or accountant retained by
such selling Holders or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and
any Guarantors and cause the Company's and the Guarantor's officers,
directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with
such Registration Statement subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to
its effectiveness;
(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s),
if any, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus,
pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such
information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may
reasonably request to have included therein, including, without
limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the
Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such
underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms
of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such
offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment
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as soon as practicable after the Company or any Guarantor is notified of
the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;
(viii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies,
if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount
of Notes covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;
(ix) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each
amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference
therein, but excluding all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated
therein by reference), except upon request;
(x) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
(including each preliminary Prospectus) and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company and each
Guarantor hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment
or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of
the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto for the time periods set forth in this
Agreement;
(xi) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement), and make, and cause the Guarantors, if any, to make, such
representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in
connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably
requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant
to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether
or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the
registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company and the
Guarantors, if any, shall:
(A) furnish to each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any,
in such substance and scope as they may request and as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten
offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the Exchange Offer
and, if applicable, the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by (y) the
President or any Vice President and (z) a principal financial or
accounting officer of the Company and the Guarantors, if any,
confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in
paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of Section 7 of the Purchase
Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably
request;
(2) an opinion or opinions, dated the date of Consummation
of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the
Company and the Guarantors, covering the matters similar to the
matters covered by paragraph (a) of Section 7 of the Purchase
Agreement and such other matter as such parties may reasonably
request, and in any event including a statement to the effect
that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers
and other representatives of
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the Company, the Guarantors and selling Holders (to the extent
applicable), and representatives of the independent public
accountants for the Company and the Guarantors in connection
with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the
related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to
be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although
such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such
counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing (relying as
to materiality to a large extent upon facts provided to such
counsel by officers and other representatives of the Company and
the Guarantors and without independent check or verification),
no facts came to such counsel's attention that caused such
counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement,
at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto became effective, and, in the case of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of the date of
Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement
as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of the date of
Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact
or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the
foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel
assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently
verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial
data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement or the related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness
of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, from
the Company's and the Guarantors' independent accountants, in
the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with
primary underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set
forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 7(c)
of the Purchase Agreement, without material exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the
underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and
procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to said Section ; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with
clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company
pursuant to this clause (xi), if any.
If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and
any Guarantors contemplated in clause (A)(1) above cease to be true and
correct, the Company and such Guarantors shall so advise the Initial
Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, or each selling Holder promptly
and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
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(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with, and cause the Guarantors to cooperate with,
the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective
counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the
Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s) may reasonably
request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to
enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however,
that the neither Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register
or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not now so qualified or to
take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits
or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the
Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so
subject;
(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Series A
Notes covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Notes, having
an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of
Series A Notes surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange
therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Notes to be
registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s)
of such Notes, as the case may be; in return, the Series A Notes held by
such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;
(xiv) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with and cause the Guarantors, if any, to
cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any
restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be
in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the
underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two business days prior to
any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such underwriter(s);
(xv) use its best efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or
approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s),
if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted
Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;
(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by clause (c)(iii)(D)
above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer
Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading;
(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement
and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for
the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible for
deposit with the Depositary Trust Company;
(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made
with the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by
any underwriter (including any "qualified
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independent underwriter") that is required to be retained in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the NASD, and use its reasonable best
efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and
approved by such governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary
to enable the Holders selling Transfer Restricted Securities to consummate
the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xix) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated
earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be
audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any
fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to
underwriters in a firm or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not
sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month
of the Company's first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date
of the Registration Statement;
(xx) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate, and cause the
Guarantors to cooperate with, the Trustee and the Holders of Notes to
effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture
to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute,
and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents
that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;
(xxi) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document
filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and
Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security
that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the
applicable Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies of
the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof,
or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of
the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so
directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the
Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such
Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted
Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event
the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof,
as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from
and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section
6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered
by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or
shall have received the Advice.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's or any Guarantor's
performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company,
regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including
without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including
filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the NASD (and, if
applicable, the fees and expenses
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of any "qualified independent underwriter" and its counsel that may be required
by the rules and regulations of the NASD); (ii) all fees and expenses of
compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii)
all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Notes
to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and
delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Company and the Guarantors, if any, and, subject to Section 7(b) below, the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees
in connection with listing Notes on a national securities exchange or automated
quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the
Guarantors, if any, (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort
letters required by or incident to such performance). Notwithstanding anything
in this Section 7 to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to pay (a)
the fees and expenses of any underwriter or of legal counsel for any
underwriter, other than a "qualified independent underwriter" (acting solely in
such capacity) as provided in clause (i) of the preceding sentence or (b) any
underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to
the sale or disposition of such Holder's Transfer Restricted Notes.
The Company will, in any event, bear its and any Guarantors' internal
expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its
officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of
any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special
experts, retained by the Company.
(b) In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement required by
this Agreement, the Company will reimburse Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities the distribution of which is being registered pursuant to the Shelf
Registration for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one
counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of such
Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that such counsel must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) In the event of a Shelf Registration Statement or in connection
with any prospectus delivery pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by any Broker-Dealer, Initial Purchaser or other Holder, as
applicable, of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Company shall indemnify and
hold harmless each Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act as follows:
(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such
Registration Statement or any Prospectus forming a part thereof or the
omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
and
(ii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred
(including, subject to Section 8(c) hereof, the fees and disbursements of
counsel chosen by the indemnified party), reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental or regulatory agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
omission;
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provided, however, that (i) this indemnity shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the
indemnified party expressly for use in such Registration Statement and (ii) this
indemnity with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission in any related preliminary Prospectus shall not
enure to the benefit of any indemnified party from whom the person asserting any
such loss, claim damage or liability received Notes if such persons did not
receive a copy of the final Prospectus at or prior to the confirmation of the
sale of such Notes to such person in any case where such delivery is required by
the Securities Act and the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the related preliminary Prospectus was corrected in the final
Prospectus unless such failure to deliver the final Prospectus was a result of
noncompliance by the Company with Sections 6(c)(iv), 6(c)(ix) or 6(c)(x).
(b) In the event of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers,
agents and employees and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act and the directors, officers, agents and employees of such controlling
persons against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described
in the indemnity contained in Section 8(a) hereof, as incurred, arising out of
or based upon any untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements
or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment or supplement
thereto) in reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to
the Company by such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or
in such amendment or supplement); provided, however, that no such Holder shall
be liable for any indemnity claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net
proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Notes pursuant to the
Registration Statement.
(c) Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as
reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any claim or action
commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder,
provided, that failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying party from any obligation that it may have pursuant to this Section
except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the
forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure and, provided
further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it
from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than on
account of this indemnity agreement. If any such claim or action shall be
brought against an indemnified party, the indemnified party shall notify the
indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other
similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the
indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the
defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation); provided, however, that
an indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such
action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be at the
expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of counsel by the
indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnified party, (2)
the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that
there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that
are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party,
(3) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the
indemnified party) between the indemnified party and indemnifying party (in
which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense
of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (4) the indemnifying party
has
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not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such action within a
reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in
each of which cases the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of
counsel will be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is
understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with
any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for
the reasonable fees disbursements and other charges of more than on separate
firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any one time for all
such indemnified party or parties. Each indemnified party, as a condition of the
indemnity agreements contained in Sections 8(a) and 8(b), shall use all
reasonable efforts to cooperate with the indemnifying party in the defense of
any such action or claim. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any
settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with its written
consent or if there be a final judgment of the plaintiff in any such action, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
(d) If a claim by an indemnified party for indemnification under this
Section 8 is found unenforceable in a final judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal or review) even though the express
provisions hereof provide for indemnification in such case, then each applicable
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such losses as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such indemnifying
party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in questions, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission of a material fact, has been taken or
made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or
indemnified party, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or
omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any losses shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c)
herein, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in
connection with any investigation or proceeding.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section , an indemnifying party that is a
holder of Transfer Restricted Notes or Exchange Notes shall not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which
the securities sold by such indemnifying party and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such
indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty or
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligation to
contribute pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the
respective principal amount of Series A Notes held by each of the Holders
hereunder and not joint.
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SECTION 9. RULE 144 AND RULE 144A
The Company shall use its best efforts to file the reports required
to be filed by it under the Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if
at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the
request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, make publicly available
other information so long as necessary to permit sales of their securities
pursuant to Rule 144. The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as
any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any
Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with
any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted
Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A.
SECTION 10. PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder
unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted
Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by
the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes
and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the
terms of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 11. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted
Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in
such offering; provided, that such investment bankers and managers must be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 12. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Remedies. The Company agrees, and shall cause the Guarantors to
agree, that monetary damages (including the liquidated damages contemplated
hereby) would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a
breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agrees to waive the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any
Guarantors will, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the
provisions hereof. Except as may have been otherwise previously been disclosed
to the Initial Purchasers in writing, neither the Company nor any Guarantors has
previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with
respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
(c) Adjustments Affecting the Notes. Neither the Company nor any
Guarantor will take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to
the Notes that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders
to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
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(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has obtained the
written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or
consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the
rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other
Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer
may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered.
(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of
the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company or to any Guarantor:
Prime Hospitality Corp.
700 Route 46 East
P.O. Box 2700
Fairfield, NJ 07007-2700
Telecopier No.: (201) 882-8577
Attention: Joseph Bernadino, Esq.
With a copy to:
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
One Citicorp Center
153 East 53rd Street
New York, NY 10022
Telecopier No.: (212) 821-8111
Attention: William N. Dye, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the
next business day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment,
subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that
this
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Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or
assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired
Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company and the
Guarantors with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to such subject matter.
[signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
PRIME HOSPITALITY CORP.
By: ________________________________
Name:
Title:
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: __________________________
Name:
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
INCORPORATED
By: __________________________
Name:
Title:
MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
By: __________________________
Name:
Title:
SMITH BARNEY INC.
By: __________________________
Name:
Title:
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