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Exhibit 10.2
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 19, 1997
Among
SPARKLING SPRING WATER GROUP LIMITED
and
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
as Issuers
and
BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
and
NATWEST CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED
as Initial Purchasers
11 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is dated as of
November 19, 1997, among SPARKLING SPRING WATER GROUP LIMITED, a corporation
organized under the laws of the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada (the "Company"),
as issuer, the Guarantors named on the signature pages hereto (the "Guarantors,"
and together with the Company, the "Issuers") and BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
and NATWEST CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED, as initial purchasers (the "Initial
Purchasers").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 14, 1997, among the Issuers and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), which provides for the sale by the
Company to the Initial Purchasers of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the Company's 11 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Notes"),
guaranteed by the Guarantors (the "Guarantees" and, together with the Notes, the
"Securities"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to provide the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any
subsequent holder or holders of the Notes. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the
Securities under the Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions:
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Additional Interest: See Section 4 hereof.
Advice: See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.
Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Applicable Period: See Section 2 hereof.
Company: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Effectiveness Date: The 150th day after the Issue Date; provided,
however, that with respect to any Shelf Registration, the Effectiveness Date
shall be the 75th day after the Filing Date with respect thereto.
Effectiveness Period: See Section 3 hereof.
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Event Date: See Section 4 hereof.
Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer: See Section 2 hereof.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement: See Section 2 hereof.
Filing Date: (A) In the case of an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the 45th day after the Issue Date; or (B) in the case of a Shelf
Registration (which may be applicable notwithstanding the consummation of the
Exchange Offer), the 30th day after a Shelf Notice is required to be delivered
pursuant to this Agreement.
Guarantees: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Guarantors: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Holder: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable Notes.
Indemnified Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indemnifying Person: See Section 7(c) hereof.
Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of November 19, 1997, by and
among the Issuers and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, pursuant to which the
Notes and the Guarantees are being issued, as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
Initial Purchasers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 3(a) hereof.
Inspectors: See Section 5(n) hereof.
Issue Date: November 19, 1997, the date of original issuance of the
Notes.
Issuers: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(s) hereof.
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Notes: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Offering Memorandum: The final offering memorandum of the Company
dated November 14, 1997, in respect of the offering of the Notes.
Participant: See Section 7(a) hereof.
Participating Broker-Dealer: See Section 2 hereof.
Person: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, joint
stock company, trust, unincorporated association, union, business association,
firm or other legal entity.
Private Exchange: See Section 2 hereof.
Private Exchange Notes: See Section 2 hereof.
Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule
434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
Purchase Agreement: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.
Records: See Section 5(n) hereof.
Registrable Notes: Each Note upon its original issuance and at all
times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof
is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent thereto and
each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all times
subsequent thereto, until (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect
to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Note, Exchange Note or
Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC and such Note,
Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been
disposed of in accordance with such effective
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Registration Statement, (ii) such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes that may be resold without
restriction under state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange
Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for
purposes of the Indenture or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange
Note, as the case may be, may be resold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act.
Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company
and/or the Guarantors that covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) filed with the SEC under the
Securities Act, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and
all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in such registration statement.
Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of the issuer of such securities
being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act.
Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144)
or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Shelf Notice: See Section 2 hereof.
Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 3(b) hereof.
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TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
Trustee: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if any)
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes.
Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration
in which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. Exchange Offer.
(a) The Issuers shall file with the SEC, no later than the Filing
Date, a Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") on
an appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes for a like
aggregate principal amount of notes of the Company, guaranteed by the
Guarantors, that are identical in all material respects to the Notes, except
that the Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon (the
"Exchange Notes"), and which are entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or a
trust indenture which is identical in all material respects to the Indenture
(other than such changes to the Indenture or any such identical trust indenture
as are necessary to comply with the TIA) and which, in either case, has been
qualified under the TIA. The Exchange Offer shall comply with all applicable
tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act and other applicable
law. The Issuers shall use their best efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or
before the Effectiveness Date; (y) keep the Exchange Offer open for at least 20
business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date that
notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the
Exchange Offer on or prior to the 45th day following the date on which the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC. If,
after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is initially declared effective
by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder
is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement
of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court, the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement shall be deemed not to have become effective for purposes
of this Agreement.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required, as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to
represent to the Company in writing (which may be contained in the applicable
letter of transmittal) that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be
acquired in the
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ordinary course of its business, that at the time of the consummation of the
Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or understanding with any
Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes in violation of
the provisions of the Securities Act, and that such Holder is not an affiliate
of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply, mutatis
mutandis, solely with respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange
Notes, Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange
Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuers shall
have no further obligation to register Registrable Notes (other than Private
Exchange Notes and other than in respect of any Exchange Notes as to which
clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies) pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees shall
be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with
respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange
Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a "Participating
Broker-Dealer"), whether such positions or policies have been publicly
disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the
prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution" section
shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and
regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent
permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, all Participating
Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which
Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in compliance with
the Securities Act.
The Issuers shall use their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the Prospectus
contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be lawfully delivered by
all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for
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such period of time as is necessary to comply with applicable law in connection
with any resale of the Exchange Notes covered thereby; provided, however, that
such period shall not exceed 180 days after such Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is declared effective (or such longer period if extended pursuant to
the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) (the "Applicable Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, any Holder holds
any Notes acquired by it that have, or that are reasonably likely to be
determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial
distribution, or any Holder is not entitled to participate in the Exchange
Offer, the Company upon the request of any such Holder shall simultaneously with
the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to
any such Holder, in exchange (the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by any
such Holder, a like principal amount of notes (the "Private Exchange Notes") of
the Company, guaranteed by the Guarantors, that are identical in all material
respects to the Exchange Notes except for the placement of a restrictive legend
on such Private Exchange Notes. The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP
number as the Exchange Notes.
Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue (A) from the later of (i)
the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Notes
surrendered in exchange therefor, or (ii) if the Note is surrendered for
exchange on a date in a period which includes the record date for an interest
payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to which
interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date or (B) if no
interest has been paid on the Notes, from the Issue Date.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of record
entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus
forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with
an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(2) use their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer open for
not less than 20 business days after the date that notice of the Exchange
Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if required by applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange
Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
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(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time
prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last business day on
which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange, if any, the Issuers shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly tendered
and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private
Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable
Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to
each Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the
case may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so
accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as
the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development shall have
occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the Issuers and
(iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which approvals the
Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer or Private
Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or
is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on
any matter.
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(c) If, (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect
the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 195 days
of the Issue Date, (iii) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in
writing to the Company within 45 days after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange
Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange
that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws
(other than due solely to the status of such Holder as an affiliate of any of
the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act), then in the case of each
of clauses (i) to and including (iv) of this sentence, the Company shall
immediately deliver to the Holders and the Trustee written notice thereof (the
"Shelf Notice") and shall file a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3
hereof.
3. Shelf Registration.
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall file with the SEC a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "Initial Shelf Registration"). The Issuers shall use their best
efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf Registration on or before the
applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or
another appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for
resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not
permit any securities other than the Registrable Notes to be included in the
Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined
below).
The Issuers shall use their best efforts to cause the Initial Shelf
Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act on or prior to
the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial Shelf Registration continuously
effective under the Securities Act until the date which is two years from the
Issue Date, subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5
hereof (the "Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter period ending when (i) all
Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in
the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration or
(ii) a
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Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all of the Registrable Notes covered by
and not sold under the Initial Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf
Registration has been declared effective under the Securities Act; provided,
however, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf
Registration shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to
comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under
the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf
Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any
reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the
sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuers shall use
their best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "Subsequent
Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers
shall use their best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such
filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for
a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the
aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used
herein the term "Shelf Registration" means the Initial Shelf Registration and
any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers shall promptly
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such
Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter
of such Registrable Notes.
4. Additional Interest.
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders
will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages
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with precision. Accordingly, the Company agrees to pay, as liquidated damages,
additional interest on the Notes ("Additional Interest") under the circumstances
and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall be given independent
effect):
(i) if the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any Shelf
Registration is not filed with the SEC on or prior to the Filing Date
applicable thereto, then, commencing on the day after any such Filing
Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the
Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days immediately
following each such Filing Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall
increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each
subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the relevant Effectiveness
Date or (B) notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will
consummate the Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf
Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective by the
SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date in respect of such Shelf
Registration, then, commencing on the day after either such Effectiveness
Dates, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the
Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days immediately
following the day after either such Effectiveness Date, and such
Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum
at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange Notes for
all Notes validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Exchange
Offer on or prior to the 45th day after the date on which the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement relating thereto was declared effective or
(B) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and
such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
Effectiveness Period, then Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Notes at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first
90 days commencing on the (x) 46th day after such effective date, in the
case of (A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest rate
shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each
subsequent 90-day period;
provided, however, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes
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as a result of the provisions of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above may not
exceed at any one time in the aggregate 2.0% per annum; provided, further,
however, that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the
case of clause (i) above of this Section 4(a)), (2) upon the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration
Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii) of this Section
4(a)), or (3) upon the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes for all Notes
tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4(a)), or upon the
effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which had ceased to
remain effective (in the case of (iii)(B) of this Section 4(a)), Additional
Interest on the Notes in respect of which such events relate as a result of such
clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to
accrue.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee within three business days
after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "Event Date"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of Section 4(a)
will be payable in cash semiannually on each May 15 and November 15 (to the
holders of record on the May 1 and November 1 immediately preceding such dates),
commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional Interest
commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by
multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of
the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period
(determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months
and, in the case of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the
denominator of which is 360.
5. Registration Procedures.
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection
with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder each of the
Issuers shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable Filing
Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by
Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use its best efforts to cause each such Registration
Statement to become
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effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that, if
(1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained
in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof
is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by any Participating
Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period
relating thereto, before filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto, the Issuers shall furnish to and afford the
Holders of the Registrable Notes included in such Registration Statement or each
such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the
managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all
such documents (including copies of any documents to be incorporated by
reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case
at least five days prior to such filing, or such later date as is reasonable
under the circumstances). The Issuers shall not file any Registration Statement
or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in such
Registration Statement, or any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object
on a timely basis.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as
the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by any
Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated
under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act
and the Exchange Act applicable to each of them with respect to the disposition
of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in
such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the subsequent resale of
any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such
Prospectus. The Issuers shall be deemed not to have used their best efforts to
keep a Registration Statement effective during the Effectiveness Period or the
Applicable Period, as the case may be, relating thereto if any Issuer
voluntarily takes any action that would result in selling Holders of the
Registrable Notes covered thereby or Participating Broker-Dealers seeking to
sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such Registrable Notes or such
Exchange Notes during that period unless such action is required by applicable
law or expressly permitted by this Agreement.
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(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Company has
received written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the
Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within one day), and confirm
such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective
under the Securities Act (including in such notice a written statement that any
Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole expense of the Issuers, one
conformed copy of such Registration Statement or post-effective amendment
including financial statements and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC
of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of
any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a
prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with
sales of the Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by Participating
Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the Issuers contained in
any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section
5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (iv) of the
receipt by any Issuer of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification or exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any
of the Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any
event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that
makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or
any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or
amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact
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required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the
Issuers' determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, use its best efforts to prevent the issuance
of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the
qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes
or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer, for sale in
any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued, to use its best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in
connection with an underwritten offering or any Participating Broker-Dealer, (i)
as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or
underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating Broker-Dealer or counsel
for any of them reasonably request to be included therein, (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after any Issuer has received notification of the matters
to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment,
and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of
Registrable Notes and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests
and to their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the
sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
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reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of
Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be,
their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of
the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each
form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any
documents incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably
request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this Section 5, the Issuers
hereby consent to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement
thereto by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the underwriters or agents,
if any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the
Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in
writing; provided, however, that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an
underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel to perform Blue
Sky investigations and file registrations and qualifications required to be
filed pursuant to this Section 5(h), keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such
Registration Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other
acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in
such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers or
the
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Registrable Notes covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided,
however, that no Issuer shall be required to (A) qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any
action that would subject it to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation
in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not
then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such
Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or Holders may request.
(j) Use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes covered by
the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably necessary to enable
the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Notes, except as may be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such
selling Holder's business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all
reasonable respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the
granting of such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event
contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable
prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange
Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating
Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers shall not be required to amend or
supplement a Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference, in the event that, and for a period not to
exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any calendar year if, (i) an event occurs and
is continuing as a result of which the Shelf Registration would, in the
Company's good faith judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
and (ii) (a) the Company determines in its good faith judgment that the
disclosure of such event at such time would have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations or prospects of the Company or (b) the disclosure
otherwise relates to a pending material business transaction that has not yet
been publicly disclosed.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with certificates for
the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable
Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as
is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Notes
and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing
underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration
or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make
such representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters
with respect to the business of the Issuers and their respective subsidiaries
(including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable) and the
Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made
by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar
to the Notes, and confirm the same in writing if and when requested; (ii) obtain
the written opinions of counsel to the Issuers and written updates thereof in
form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or
underwriters, addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily
covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings of debt securities
similar to the Notes and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii) obtain "cold comfort" letters
and updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent public accountants of
the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other
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independent public accountants of any subsidiary of any of the Issuers or of any
business acquired by any of the Issuers for which financial statements and
financial data are, or are required to be, included or incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such
letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings of
debt securities similar to the Notes and such other matters as reasonably
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters as permitted by the
Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and (iv) if an underwriting agreement is
entered into, the same shall contain indemnification provisions and procedures
no less favorable to the sellers and underwriters, if any, than those set forth
in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Registrable Notes covered
by such Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters or
agents) with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to such Section.
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such
disposition of Registrable Notes, and any attorney, accountant or other agent
retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as
the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices
where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company and
subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably
necessary to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence
responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company
and any of its subsidiaries to supply all information reasonably requested by
any such Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement and
Prospectus. Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records
confidential and that it will not disclose any of the Records that the Company
determines, in good faith, to be confidential and notifies the Inspectors in
writing are confidential unless (i) the disclosure of such Records is necessary
to avoid or correct a material misstatement or material omission in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the
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release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a
court of competent jurisdiction, or (iii) the information in such Records has
been made generally available to the public; provided, however, that prior
notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Company of the potential
disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii)
of this sentence to permit the Company to obtain a protective order (or waive
the provisions of this paragraph (n)) and that such Inspector shall take such
actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such
information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not
inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests
of the Holder or any Inspector.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders
of the Registrable Notes, to effect such changes to such 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 such trustee to execute,
all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such indenture to be so
qualified in a timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to its securityholders with regard to any applicable
Registration Statement, a consolidated earnings statement satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or
any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 60 days
after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 120 days after the end of any 12-month
period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal
quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment
or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in
such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Company after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements
shall cover said 12-month periods.
(q) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as
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the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, the related Guarantees and the related indenture constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against them in accordance
with their respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Company
(or to such other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Company
shall mark, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such
Registrable Notes are being canceled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable
Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied
(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(t) Use its best efforts to take all other steps reasonably
necessary to effect the registration of the Exchange Notes and/or Registrable
Notes covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Company may, from time to time, reasonably request. The Company may exclude from
such registration the Registrable Notes of any seller so long as such seller
fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request. Each seller as to which any Shelf Registration 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 seller
not materially misleading.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, then such Holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, to the effect that the holding
by such Holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by
such Holder of the investment quality of the
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securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such Holder
will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company, or (ii)
in the event that such reference to such Holder by name or otherwise is not
required by the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force, the
deletion of the reference to such Holder in any amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such
reference ceases to be required.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that,
upon actual receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event
of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi)
hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to
be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until
such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof, or until
it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the Company that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments
or supplements thereto. In the event that the Company shall give any such
notice, the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during
such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(k) hereof or (y)
the Advice.
6. Registration Expenses.
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers (other than any underwriting discounts or
commissions) shall be borne by the Company whether or not the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or any Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective
or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, (A) fees with
respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection with an
underwritten offering and (B) reasonable fees and expenses of compliance with
state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under the laws of such
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jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the
case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the
case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating
Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company
and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration
Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by any
Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
(iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and reasonable fees and disbursements of one special
counsel for all of the sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive of any counsel
retained pursuant to Section 7 hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all
independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii) hereof
(including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold
comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (vii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (viii) internal expenses
of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
officers and employees of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties),
(ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) any fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if
applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and
distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures
and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
7. Indemnification.
(a) Each of the Issuers, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, the
affiliates, officers, directors, representatives, employees and agents of each
such Person, and each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act (each, a "Participant"), from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, the
reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually incurred in
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connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by,
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment
thereto) or Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have
furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus,
or caused by, arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to
state therein 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, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any Participant furnished to the Company in writing by such
Participant expressly for use therein and with respect to any preliminary
prospectus, to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises
solely from the fact that any Participant sold Notes to a person to whom there
was not sent or given a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) at
or prior to the written confirmation of such sale if the Company shall have
previously furnished copies thereof to the Participant in accordance herewith
and the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) would have corrected any such
untrue statement or omission.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Issuers and their respective affiliates, officers,
directors, representatives, employees and agents and each Person who controls
each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20
of the Exchange Act to the same extent (but on a several, and not joint, basis)
as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant, but only with
reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to the Company
in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
notify the Persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "Indemnifying
Persons") in writing, and the Indemnifying Persons, upon request of the
Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel
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reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified
Person and any others the Indemnifying Persons may reasonably designate in such
proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel
related to such proceeding; provided, however, that the failure to so notify any
Indemnifying Person (i) will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph
(a) or (b) above unless and to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture
by the Indemnifying Person of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not,
in any event, relieve the Indemnifying Person from any obligations to any
Indemnified Person other than the indemnification obligation provided in
paragraphs (a) and (b) above. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person
shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the
Indemnifying Persons and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to
the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Persons shall have failed within a
reasonable period of time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding (including
any impleaded parties) include both any Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person or any affiliate thereof and representation of both parties by the same
counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between them. It is understood that the Indemnifying Persons shall not, in
connection with such proceeding or separate but substantially similar related
proceeding in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations,
be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition
to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and
expenses shall be reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate
firm for the Participants and such control Persons of Participants shall be
designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of
Registrable Notes and Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Company, and any such separate firm for the
Issuers, their affiliates, officers, directors, representatives, employees and
agents and such control Persons of the Issuers shall be designated in writing by
the Company and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders.
The Indemnifying Persons shall not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for which the
Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement,
each of the Indemnifying Persons agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or
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judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Persons (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a
party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person,
unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written release of such
Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of
fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) of
this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or insufficient to hold
harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such
paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and in
order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
(i) the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the
one hand and the Indemnified Person or Persons on the other from the original
offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing clause
(i) is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also
the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand
or such Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may be, on the
other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
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considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually incurred by such
Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Participant has otherwise been required to pay or has paid by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for which
an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this
Section 7 shall be paid by the Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred. The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and the
representations and warranties of the Issuers set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person who controls a
Holder, the Issuer, its directors, officers, employees or agents or any person
controlling an Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons
may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
8. Rules 144 and 144A.
Each of the Issuers covenants and agrees that it will file the
reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner
in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
and, if at any time such Issuer is not required to file such reports, such
Issuer will, upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable
Notes, make available such information as is necessary to permit sales pursuant
to Rule 144A under the
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Securities Act. Each of the Issuers further covenants and agrees, for so long as
any Registrable Notes remain outstanding, that it will take such further action
as any Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request, all to the extent
required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Notes
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A under the Securities Act,
as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
9. Underwritten Registrations.
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration
are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers have not, as of the date
hereof, and the Issuers shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. 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 Issuers' other issued and outstanding
securities under any such agreements. The Issuers will not enter into any
agreement with respect to any of their securities which will grant to any Person
piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuers shall not,
directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Notes as
a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable
Notes to include
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such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of (I) the Company and (II)(A) the Holders of not less than a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B)
in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers,
the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers;
provided, however, that Section 7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended,
modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and
each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement) affected by any such
amendment, modification or supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver
or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose
securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not
directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other
Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any
Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records
of the registrar under the Indenture.
(ii) if to the Issuers, at the address as follows:
c/o Sparkling Spring Water Group Limited
19 Fielding Avenue
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada B3B-1C9
Attention: Stewart Allen
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All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the addressee, if sent by facsimile.
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 and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers.
(f) 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.
(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO
THE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
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(j) Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Company or its affiliates (as
such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be counted
in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such
required percentage.
(k) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this
Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(l) Judgment Currency. The Issuers, jointly and severally, agree to
indemnify the Initial Purchasers and each Holder against any loss incurred as a
result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due under
this Agreement and such judgment or order being expressed and paid in a currency
(the "Judgment Currency") other than United States dollars and as a result of
any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States
dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such
judgment or order and (ii) the spot rate of exchange in The City of New York at
which any such person on the date of payment of such judgment or order is able
to purchase United States dollars with the amount of the Judgment Currency
actually received by such person. The foregoing indemnity shall continue in full
force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The
term "spot rate of exchange" shall include any premiums and costs of exchange
payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, United States
dollars.
(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand
and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives,
parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in
interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein
and replaced hereby.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
THE COMPANY:
SPARKLING SPRING WATER GROUP LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Vice Chairman
THE GUARANTORS:
SPARKLING SPRING WATER LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Vice Chairman
SPRING WATER, INC.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
WATER JUG ENTERPRISES LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
WITHEY'S WATER SOFTENING & PURIFICATION
LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
34
AQUA CARE WATER SOFTENING & PURIFICATION
LTD.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
HIGH VALLEY WATER LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
3003969 NOVA SCOTIA LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
CANADIAN SPRINGS WATER COMPANY LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
SPARKLING SPRING WATER (UK) LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
AQUAPORTE (UK) LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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CRYSTAL SPRING ACQUISITION, INC.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
MOUNTAIN FRESH ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
MARLBOROUGH EMPLOYMENT LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
WATER AT WORK LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
NATURAL WATER LIMITED
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
CULLYSPRING WATER CO., INC.
By: /s/ Stephen L. Larson
----------------------------------------------
Name: Stephen L. Larson
Title: Chief Financial Officer
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The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
BT ALEX. BROWN INCORPORATED
By: /s/ David Hadley
Name: David Hadley
Title: Managing Director
NATWEST CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED
By: /s/ N.S. Coulbeck
Name: N.S. Coulbeck
Title: Director