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BURLINGTON
RESOURCES
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC.
As Amended Through January 4, 1999
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CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BURLINGTON RESOURCES INC.
ARTICLE 1. NAME
The name of this corporation is Burlington Resources Inc.
ARTICLE 2. REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the initial registered office of this corporation is
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle,
State of Delaware 19081, and the name of its initial registered agent at such
address is The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE 3. PURPOSES
The purpose of this corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of
Delaware.
ARTICLE 4. SHARES
4.1 Authorized Capital. The total authorized stock of this corporation shall
consist of 325,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $.01 per
share and 75,000,000 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $.01 per
share.
4.2 Issuance of Preferred Stock in Series. The preferred stock may be issued
from time to time in one or more series, the shares of each series to have such
voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as are stated and expressed
herein or in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such
series adopted by the Board of Directors.
4.3 Authority of the Board of Directors. Authority is hereby expressly
granted to the Board of Directors of this corporation, subject to the provisions
of this Article 4 and to the limitations prescribed by law, to authorize the
issue of one or more series of preferred stock, and with respect to each such
series to fix by resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such
series the number of shares of such series, the voting powers, full or limited,
if any, of the shares of such series and the designations, preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The authority of the Board
of Directors with respect to each series of preferred stock shall include, but
not be limited to, the determination or fixing of the following:
(a) The number of shares of such series;
(b) The designation of such series;
(c) The dividend on the shares of such series, the conditions and dates
upon which such dividends shall be payable, the relation which such
dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or
classes or on any other series of any class or classes of stock of this
corporation and whether such dividends shall be cumulative or
noncumulative;
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(d) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to redemption by
this corporation and, if made subject to such redemption, the times,
prices, rates, adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such
redemption;
(e) The terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase
or redemption of the shares of such series;
(f) Whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of any other class or classes or of any other
series of any class or classes of stock of this corporation and, if
provision be made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates,
adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or
exchange;
(g) The extent, if any, to which the holders of the shares of such
series shall be entitled to vote with respect to the election of directors
or otherwise, including the right to elect a specified number or class of
directors, the extent, if any, to which the holders of the shares of such
series shall have (i) separate voting rights with respect to the matters
solely affecting the preferences, rights or powers of such series but not
so affecting the common stock or the entire class of preferred stock and
(ii) on a pro rata basis with other shares of preferred stock having
voting rights, voting rights with respect to matters solely affecting the
preferences, rights or powers of the entire class of preferred stock but
not so affecting the common stock, the number or percentage of votes
required for certain actions, and the extent to which a vote by class or
series shall be required for certain actions;
(h) The restrictions, if any, on the issue or reissue of any preferred
stock;
(i) The amount or amounts payable upon the shares of such series in the
event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the corporation prior to any payment or distribution of the assets of
the corporation to any class or classes of stock of the corporation
ranking junior to the preferred stock;
(j) Whether, and the extent to which, any of the voting powers,
designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of any such series may be made dependent upon facts
ascertainable outside this Certificate of Incorporation or of any
amendment hereto, or outside the resolution or resolutions providing for
the issuance of such series adopted by the Board of Directors, provided
that the manner in which such facts shall operate upon the voting powers,
designations, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such series is clearly and expressly set forth in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series
adopted by the Board of Directors;
(k) The extent, if any, to which any committee of the Board of
Directors may fix the designations and any of the preferences, privileges
and powers and relative, participating, optional or other special rights
and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the shares of such
series relating to dividends, redemption, dissolution, any distribution of
assets of this corporation or the conversion into or exchange of such
shares for shares of any other class or classes of stock of this
corporation or any other series of the same or any other class or classes
of stock of this corporation, or fix the number of shares of any such
series or authorize the increase or decrease in the shares of such series;
and
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(1) Any other preferences, privileges and powers and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such series, as the Board of Directors may
deem advisable, which shall not adversely affect any other class or series
of preferred stock at the time outstanding and which shall not be
inconsistent with the provisions hereof.
4.4 Dividends. Subject to any preferential rights granted to any series of
preferred stock, the holders of shares of the common stock shall be entitled to
receive dividends, out of the funds of this corporation legally available
therefor, at the rate and at the time or times, whether cumulative or
noncumulative, as may be provided by the Board of Directors. The holders of
shares of the preferred stock shall be entitled to receive dividends to the
extent provided by the Board of Directors in designating the particular series
of preferred stock. The holders of shares of the common stock shall not be
entitled to receive any dividends thereon other than the dividends referred to
in this section.
4.5 Voting. The holders of shares of the common stock, on the basis of one
vote per share, shall have the right to vote for the election of members of the
Board of Directors of this corporation and the right to vote on all other
matters, except those matters on which the holders of a separate class or series
of this corporation's stock are entitled to vote separately by class or series.
To the extent provided by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
providing for the issue of a series of preferred stock, the holders of each such
series of preferred stock shall have the right to vote for the election of
members of the Board of Directors of this corporation and the right to vote on
all other matters, except those matters on which the holders of a separate class
or series of this corporation's stock are entitled to vote separately by class
or series.
ARTICLE 5. INCORPORATOR
The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:
Andrew Bor
1900 Washington Building
Seattle, Washington 98101
ARTICLE 6. DIRECTORS
The powers of the incorporator shall terminate upon the filing of this
Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware. The names and mailing addresses of the persons whom are to serve as
Directors until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until their
successors are elected and qualify are:
James W. Becker 999 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
Luino Dell'Osso, Jr. 999 Third Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101
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ARTICLE 7. BY-LAWS
The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the
By-Laws of this corporation, subject to the power of the stockholders to amend
or repeal such By-Laws. The stockholders having voting power shall also have the
power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws for this corporation.
ARTICLE 8. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Except as may be otherwise required by the By-Laws, written ballots are not
required in the election of Directors.
ARTICLE 9. PROVISIONS FOR A COMPROMISE OR ARRANGEMENT
Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this corporation
and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this corporation and its
stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within
the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of this
corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of
any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under the provisions of
section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the application of trustees in
dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for this corporation under
the provisions of section 279 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code order a meeting of
the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of
stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such
manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing
three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this corporation, as the case may be,
agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this
corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said
compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by
the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the
creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of
stockholders, of this corporation, as the case may be, and also on this
corporation.
ARTICLE 10. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
No preemptive rights shall exist with respect to shares of stock or
securities convertible into shares of stock of this corporation.
ARTICLE 11. CUMULATIVE VOTING
The right to cumulate votes in the election of Directors shall not exist
with respect to shares of stock of this corporation.
ARTICLE 12. AMENDMENTS TO CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
This corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any of the provisions
contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter
permitted by law, and the rights of the stockholders of this corporation are
granted subject to this reservation.
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ARTICLE 13. LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY
To the full extent that the Delaware General Corporation Law, as it exists
on the date hereof or may hereafter be amended, permits the limitation or
elimination of the liability of directors, a director of this corporation shall
not be liable to this corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any amendment to or repeal of this
Article 13 shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of
this corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director
occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.
ARTICLE 14. ACTION BY STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT A MEETING
Any action by stockholders of this corporation shall be taken at a meeting
of stockholders and no action may be taken by written consent of stockholders
entitled to vote upon such action.
ARTICLE 15. SPECIAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS
In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, this Certificate of
Incorporation, any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise,
any "Business Combination" (as hereinafter defined) involving this corporation
shall be subject to approval in the manner set forth in this Article 15.
15.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Article 15:
(a) "Affiliate" and "beneficial owner" are used herein as defined in Rule
12b-2 and Rule 13d-3, respectively, under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 as in effect on May 25, 1988 (the "1934 Act"). The term "Affiliate" as
used herein shall exclude this corporation, but shall include the definition
of "Associate" as contained in said Rule 12b-2.
(b) An "Interested Stockholder" is a person other than (i) the corporation
or (ii) Burlington Northern Inc., a Delaware corporation ("BNI"), as long as
BNI continues to own at least a majority of the stock of this corporation
entitled to vote for the election of directors ("Voting Stock") and there
has been no Change in Control of BNI since May 25, 1988, who is (A) the
beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the Voting Stock or (B) an
Affiliate of this corporation which (1) at any time within a two-year period
prior to the record date for the vote on a Business Combination was the
beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the Voting Stock, or (2) at the
completion of the Business Combination will be the beneficial owner of ten
percent or more of the Voting Stock.
(c) A "Person" is a natural person or a legal entity of any kind, together
with any Affiliate of such person or entity, or any person or entity with
whom such person, entity or any Affiliate has any agreement or understanding
relating to acquiring, voting or holding Voting Stock.
(d) A "Disinterested Director" is a member of the Board of Directors of this
corporation (other than the Interested Stockholder) who was a director prior
to the time the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, or
any director who was recommended for election by the
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Disinterested Directors. Any action to be taken by the Disinterested
Directors shall require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
Disinterested Directors.
(e) A "Business Combination" is (i) a merger or consolidation of this
corporation or any of its subsidiaries with an Interested Stockholder; (ii)
the sale, lease, exchange, pledge, transfer or other disposition (A) by this
corporation or any of its subsidiaries of all or a Substantial Part of the
corporation's Assets to an Interested Stockholder, or (B) by an Interested
Stockholder of any of its assets, except in the ordinary course of business,
to this corporation or any of its subsidiaries; (iii) the issuance of stock
or other securities of this corporation or any of its subsidiaries to an
Interested Stockholder, other than on a pro rata basis to all holders of
Voting Stock of the same class held by the Interested Stockholder pursuant
to a stock split, stock dividend or distribution of warrants or rights; (iv)
the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of
this corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder; (v)
any reclassification of securities, recapitalization, merger or
consolidation or other transaction which has the effect, directly or
indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of any Voting Stock
beneficially owned by an Interested Stockholder; or (vi) any agreement,
contract or other arrangement providing for any of the foregoing
transactions.
(f) A "Substantial Part of the corporation's Assets" shall mean assets of
this corporation or any of its subsidiaries in an amount equal to twenty
percent or more of the fair market value, as determined by the Disinterested
Directors, of the total consolidated assets of this corporation and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole as of the end of its most recent fiscal year
ended prior to the time the determination is made.
(g) A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur (i) if any Person is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of BNI representing twenty percent or
more of the stock of BNI entitled to vote for directors of BNI, (ii) upon
the first purchase of BNI's common stock pursuant to a tender or exchange
offer (other than a tender or exchange offer made by BNI), (iii) upon the
approval by BNI's stockholders of a merger or consolidation, a sale or
disposition of all or substantially all of BNI's assets or a plan of
liquidation or dissolution of BNI, or (iv) if, during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the BNI board of directors cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority thereof, unless the election or nomination for the election
by BNI's stockholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at
least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at
the beginning of the period.
15.2 Vote Required for Business Combinations
The affirmative vote of not less than fifty-one percent of the Voting Stock,
excluding the Voting Stock of an Interested Stockholder who is a party to the
Business Combination, shall be required for the adoption or authorization of a
Business Combination, unless the Disinterested Directors determine that:
(a) The Interested Stockholder is the beneficial owner of not less than
eighty percent of the Voting Stock and has declared its intention to vote
in favor of or to approve such Business Combination: or
(b) (i) The fair market value of the consideration per share to be
received or retained by the holders of each class or series of stock of
this corporation in a Business Combination is equal to or greater than the
consideration per share (including brokerage commissions and soliciting
dealer's
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fees) paid by such Interested Stockholder in acquiring the largest number
of shares of such class of stock previously acquired in any one
transaction or series of related transactions, whether before or after the
Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder and (ii) the
Interested Stockholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or
indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans,
advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance provided by
this corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such
Business Combination or otherwise.
15.3 Information Requirements
In the event any vote of holders of Voting Stock is required for the
adoption or approval of any Business Combination, a proxy or information
statement describing the Business Combination and complying with the
requirements of the 1934 Act shall be mailed at a date determined by the
Disinterested Directors to all stockholders of this corporation whether or not
such statement is required under the 1934 Act. The statement shall contain any
recommendations as to the advisability of the Business Combination which the
Disinterested Directors, or any of them, may choose to state and, if deemed
advisable by the Disinterested Directors, an opinion of an investment banking
firm as to the fairness of the terms of such Business Combination. Such firm
shall be selected by the Disinterested Directors and be paid a fee for its
services by this corporation as approved by the Disinterested Directors.
15.4 Amendment
No amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation shall amend, alter, change
or repeal any of the provisions of Article 14 or of this Article 15 unless such
amendment shall receive the affirmative vote of not less than fifty-one percent
of the Voting Stock, excluding the Voting Stock of any Interested Stockholder as
defined in Section 15.1 of this Article 15.
OTHER AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company which shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock," par value $.01
per share, and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 3,250,000.
Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board
of Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock to a number less than that of the
shares then outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of
outstanding rights, options or warrants or upon conversion of outstanding
securities issued by the Company.
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of
any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the
holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in preference
to the holders of shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), of the Company and any other junior stock, shall be entitled to
receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first day
of January, April, July, and October in each year (each such date being referred
to
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herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction
of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in an amount per
share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $25, or (b)
subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the
aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate
per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Company
shall at any time after December 16, 1998 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i)
declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount to
which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were
entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) The Company shall declare a dividend or distribution on
the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A)
above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common
Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that,
in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common
Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $25 per share on the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on
such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock from the
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares
of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless the date of issue of
such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date
of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a
quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date in either of
which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time accrued and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a
dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
each share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the
holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters
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submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. In the event the Company
shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding
Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which
holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by
a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted
to a vote of shareholders of the Company.
(C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six (6)
quarterly dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the
beginning of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall extend
until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous quarterly
dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on all shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been
declared and paid or set apart for payment. During each default period, all
holders of Preferred Stock (including holders of the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock) with dividends in arrears in an amount equal to
six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, voting as a class, irrespective of series,
shall have the right to elect two (2) Directors.
(ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock may be exercised
initially at a special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph
(iii) of this Section 3(C) or at any annual meeting of
shareholders, and thereafter at annual meetings of stockholders,
provided that neither such voting right nor the right of the
holders of any other series of Preferred Stock, if any, to increase
in certain cases, the authorized number of Directors shall be
exercised unless the holders of ten percent (10%) in number of
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding shall be present in person or
by proxy. The absence of a quorum of the holders of Common Stock
shall not affect the exercise by the holders of Preferred Stock of
such voting right. At any meeting at which the holders of Preferred
Stock shall exercise such voting right initially during an existing
default period, they shall have the right, voting as a class, to
elect Directors to fill such vacancies, if any, in the Board of
Directors as may then exist up to two (2) Directors or, if such
right is exercised at an annual meeting, to elect two (2)
Directors. If the number which may be so elected at any special
meeting does not amount to the required number, the holders of the
Preferred Stock shall have the right to make such increase in the
number of Directors as shall be necessary to permit the election by
them of the required number. After the holders of the Preferred
Stock shall have exercised their right to elect Directors in any
default period and during the continuance of such period, the
number of Directors shall not be increased or decreased except by
vote of the holders of Preferred Stock as herein provided or
pursuant to the rights of any equity securities ranking senior to
or pari passu with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock.
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(iii) Unless the holders of Preferred Stock shall, during an
existing default period, have previously exercised their right to
elect Directors, the Board of Directors may order, or any
stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than
ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding, irrespective of series, may request, the calling of a
special meeting of the holders of Preferred Stock, which meeting
shall thereupon be called by the Chairman of the Board or the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Notice of
such meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders of
Preferred Stock are entitled to vote pursuant to this paragraph
(C)(iii) shall be given to each holder of record of Preferred Stock
by mailing a copy of such notice to him at his last address as the
same appears on the books of the Company. Such meeting shall be
called for a time not earlier than 10 days and not later than 60
days after such order or request or in default of the calling of
such meeting within 60 days after such order or request, such
meeting may be called on similar notice by any stockholder or
stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent
(10%) of the total number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (C)(iii), no such
special meeting shall be called during the period within 60 days
immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of
the stockholders.
(iv) In any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and other
classes of stock of the Company if applicable, shall continue to be
entitled to elect the whole number of Directors until the holders
of Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect two
(2) Directors voting as a class, after the exercise of which right
(x) the Directors so elected by the holders of Preferred Stock
shall continue in office until their successors shall have been
elected by such holders or until the expiration of the default
period, and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except
as provided in paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3) be filled by
vote of a majority of the remaining Directors theretofore elected
by the holders of the class of stock which elected the Director
whose office shall become vacant. References in this paragraph (C)
to Directors elected by the holders of a particular class of stock
shall include Directors elected by such Directors to fill vacancies
as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.
(v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the
right of the holders of Preferred Stock as a class to elect
Directors shall cease, (y) the term of any Directors elected by the
holders of Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the
number of Directors shall be such number as may be provided for in
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws irrespective
of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of paragraph
(C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to
change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws). Any vacancies in the
Board of Directors effected by the provisions of clause (y) and (z)
in the preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the
remaining Directors.
(D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and their
consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to vote
with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.
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Section 4. Certain Restrictions.
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock as
provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full,
the Company shall not:
(i) Declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on,
or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock;
(ii) Declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on
any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock except dividends paid ratably
on the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and all such
parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in
proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such
shares are then entitled;
(iii) Redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock provided that the Company may
at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any
such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the
Company ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock; or
(iv) Purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock or any shares of
stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock except in accordance with a purchase offer made in
writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors)
to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend
rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in
fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the Company to
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the
Company unless the Company could, under paragraph (A) of this Section 4,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company in
any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the
acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation become
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of
a new series of Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of
the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance
set forth herein.
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Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
(A) Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or
winding up of the Company, no distribution shall be made to the holders of
shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall have received per share, the greater of 100 times $200 or
100 times the payment made per share of Common Stock, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation Preference"). Following
the payment of the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference, no
additional distributions shall be made to the holders of shares of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of
shares of Common Stock shall have received an amount per share (the "Common
Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Series A
Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in
subparagraph C below to reflect such events as stock splits, stock dividends and
recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii),
the "Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series
A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all outstanding
shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Common Stock,
respectively, holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and
holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their ratable and proportionate
share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment
Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per
share basis, respectively.
(B) In the event there are not sufficient assets available to
permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the
liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if any, which
rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock then
such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the event
there are not sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the
Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to
the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Company shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. If the Company shall enter
into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the
shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property then in any such event the shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be
similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of
stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case
may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or
exchanged. In the event the Company shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then
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in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to
the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that are outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. Redemption. The shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.
Section 9. Ranking. The Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Stock shall rank junior to all other series of the Company's Preferred Stock as
to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of
any such series shall provide otherwise.
Section 10. Fractional Shares. Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the
holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting
rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit
of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
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