EXHIBIT 4.3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MAY 22, 1998
BY AND BETWEEN
GREAT LAKES ACQUISITION CORP.
AND
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of May 22, 1998 by and between Great Lakes Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation (the "INITIAL PURCHASER"), which has agreed to purchase
the Company's 13-1/8% Series A Senior Discount Debentures due 2009 (the "SERIES
A DEBENTURES") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated as of May 18, 1998 (the
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and between the Company and the Initial Purchaser.
In order to induce the Initial Purchaser to purchase the Series A
Debentures, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth
in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition
to the obligations of the Initial Purchaser set forth in Section 2 of the
Purchase Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated May 22, 1998,
between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company of California, N.A.,
as Trustee, relating to the Series A Debentures and the Series B Debentures (the
"INDENTURE").
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have
the following meanings:
ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
AFFILIATE: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.
BROKER-DEALER: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange
Act.
CLOSING DATE: The date of this Agreement.
COMMISSION: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONSUMMATE: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for
purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of all of the following events:
(i) the filing and effectiveness under the Act of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement relating to the Series B Debentures to be issued in the
Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement effective
and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company
to the Registrar under the Indenture of Series B Debentures in the same
aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Series A
Debentures tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
CONSUMMATION DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE: As defined in Section 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
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EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
EXCHANGE OFFER: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a
principal amount of Series B Debentures (which shall be registered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal
amount of Series A Debentures that are tendered by Holders in connection with
such exchange and issuance.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: The Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.
EXEMPT RESALES: The transactions in which the Initial Purchaser
proposes to sell the Series A Debentures to (i) certain "qualified institutional
buyers," as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act and (ii) pursuant to
Regulation S under the Act.
FILING DEADLINE: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.
HOLDER: As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
INITIAL PURCHASER: As defined in the preamble hereto.
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE: As defined in the Indenture and the
Debentures.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, trust or other organization, whether or not
a legal entity, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
RECOMMENCEMENT DATE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company
relating to (a) an offering of Series B Debentures pursuant to an Exchange Offer
or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all
amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all
exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
REGULATION S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
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SERIES A DEBENTURES: As defined in the preamble hereto.
SERIES B DEBENTURES: The Company's 13-1/8% Series B Senior Discount
Debentures due 2009 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange
Offer or (ii) as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
SUSPENSION NOTICE: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: Each Series A Debenture, until the
earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Series A Debenture is exchanged
in the Exchange Offer for a Series B Debenture which is entitled to be resold to
the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act (other than as a result of the Holder's status as an
Affiliate of the Company), (b) the date on which such Series A Debenture has
been disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the
purchasers thereof have been issued Debentures that do not bear the Private
Placement Legend set forth in the Indenture), or (c) the date on which such
Series A Debenture is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Act or may be sold under Rule 144(k) under the Act (and purchasers thereof have
been issued Debentures that do not bear the Private Placement Legend set forth
in the Indenture) and each Series B Debenture until the date on which such
Series B Debenture is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).
SECTION 2. HOLDERS.
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
(each, a "HOLDER") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER.
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable
federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been
complied with), the Company shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the
Closing Date, but in no event later than 60 days after the Closing Date (such
60th day being the "FILING DEADLINE"), (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to
cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective at the
earliest possible time, but in no event later than 135 days after the Closing
Date (such 135th day being the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE"), (iii) in connection
with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause it to become
effective, (B) file, if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause
all necessary filings, if any, in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Series B Debentures to be made under the Blue Sky laws of
such United States jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the
Exchange Offer, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required in
connection therewith to register or qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction where it is not now
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so registered or qualified or to take any action that would subject it to
service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and
transactions relating to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, in any
jurisdiction where it is not now so subject, and (iv) upon the effectiveness
of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the
Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form
permitting (i) registration of the Series B Debentures to be offered in
exchange for the Series A Debentures that are Transfer Restricted Securities
and (ii) resales of Series B Debentures by Broker-Dealers that tendered into
the Exchange Offer Series A Debentures that such Broker-Dealer acquired for
its own account as a result of market making activities or other trading
activities (other than Series A Debentures acquired directly from the Company
or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by Section 3(c) below.
(b) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall
keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period
required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the
Exchange Offer; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall such period be less
than 20 Business Days. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply
with all applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than
the Series B Debentures (and guarantees thereof, if any) shall be included in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on or prior to 30
Business Days after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become
effective (such 30th Business Day being the "CONSUMMATION DEADLINE").
(c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and indicate
therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities that
were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Debentures acquired
directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may exchange such
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Such "Plan of
Distribution" section shall also contain all other information with respect to
such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to
permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of Distribution" shall not
name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the extent required by the
Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or regulations after the
date of this Agreement.
Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Debentures received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery
requirement. To the extent necessary to ensure that the prospectus contained in
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Series B
Debentures by Broker-Dealers, the Company agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously
effective, supplemented, amended and current as required by and subject to the
provisions of Section 6(a) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies, rules and regulations
of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year from
the Consummation Deadline or such shorter period as will terminate when all
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement
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have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company shall provide sufficient copies
of the latest version of such Prospectus to such Broker-Dealers, promptly
upon request, and in no event later than one day after such request, at any
time during such period.
Section 4. SHELF REGISTRATION.
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted
by applicable law (after the Company has complied with the procedures set forth
in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities shall notify the Company prior to the 20th day following the
Consummation of the Exchange Offer that (A) such Holder was prohibited by law or
Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer or (B) such Holder
may not resell the Series B Debentures acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to
the public without delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such
resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Series A
Debentures acquired directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates, then the
Company shall:
(x) use its best efforts to cause to be filed, on or prior to 30
days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the Company determines that the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause
(a)(i) above and (ii) the date on which the Company receives the notice
specified in clause (a)(ii) above, (such earlier date, the "FILING DEADLINE"), a
shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an
amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (the "SHELF REGISTRATION
STATEMENT")), relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities, and
(y) use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to become effective on or prior to 90 days after the obligation to
file such Shelf Registration Statement arises (such 90th day the "EFFECTIVENESS
DEADLINE").
If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is
required to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely
because the Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e.,
clause (a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above;
PROVIDED that, in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the
Effectiveness Deadline set forth in clause (y).
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration
Statement is available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the
Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other
securities required to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii)
hereof, the Company shall use its best efforts to keep any Shelf Registration
Statement required by this Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented,
amended and current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections
6(b) and (c) hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement,
the Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced
from time to time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to
Section 6(c)(i)) following the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will
terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf
Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto.
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(b) PROVISION BY HOLDERS OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH
THE SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein or prospectus supplement
thereto. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to
liquidated damages pursuant to Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder
shall have provided all such information. Each selling Holder agrees to
promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.
If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not
filed with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii)
any such Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the
Exchange Offer has not been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline
(except in the situation described in Section 4(a)(i) above when Section
4(a)(x)(i) has been satisfied) or (iv) any Registration Statement required by
this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be
effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded
within two Business Days by a post-effective amendment to such Registration
Statement (or a new Registration Statement) that cures such failure and that is
itself declared effective within five Business Days of filing such
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the
Company hereby agrees to pay to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount equal to $.05 per week per
$1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder
for each week or portion thereof that the Registration Default continues for the
first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration
Default. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional
$.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults
have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $.25 per week
per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities; PROVIDED that
the Company shall in no event be required to pay liquidated damages for more
than one Registration Default at any given time. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon filing of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration
Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3) upon Consummation of the Exchange
Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon the filing of a post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement or an additional Registration Statement
that causes the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable,
the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be declared effective or made usable
in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or
(iv), as applicable, shall cease.
All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more
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fully set forth in the Indenture and the Debentures. Notwithstanding the
fact that any securities for which liquidated damages are due cease to be
Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the Company to pay
liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until such time
as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been satisfied
in full.
Section 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
(a) EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 6(c) below, (y) use its best efforts to effect such exchange and to
permit the resale of Series B Debentures by any Broker-Dealer that tendered in
the Exchange Offer Series A Debentures that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its
own account as a result of its market making activities or other trading
activities (other than Series A Debentures acquired directly from the Company or
any of its Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or
methods of distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following
provisions:
(i) If, following the date hereof there has been announced a
change in Commission policy with respect to exchange offers such as the
Exchange Offer, that in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company
raises a substantial question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted
by applicable federal law, the Company hereby agrees to seek a no-action
letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company
to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Transfer Restricted Securities.
The Company hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the
Commission staff level. In connection with the foregoing, the Company
hereby agrees to take all such other actions as may be requested by the
Commission or otherwise required in connection with the issuance of such
decision, including without limitation (A) participating in telephonic
conferences with the Commission, (B) delivering to the Commission staff an
analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases,
if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer
should be permitted and (C) diligently pursuing a resolution (which need
not be favorable) by the Commission staff. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Company shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action
to comply with the requests of the Commission referred to in the previous
sentence in order to secure a favorable resolution.
(ii) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange
Offer, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without
limitation, any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish, upon the
request of the Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a
written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter
of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement)
to the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not
engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the
Series B Debentures to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is
acquiring the Series B Debentures in its ordinary course of business. As a
condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer each Holder using the
Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the Series B Debentures
shall acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B Debentures
obtained by such Holder in exchange for Series A Debentures acquired
directly from the Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under
Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the
position of the Commission enunciated in MORGAN STANLEY AND CO., INC.
(available June 5, 1991)
7
and EXXON CAPITAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available May 13, 1988), as
interpreted in the Commission's letter to SHEARMAN & STERLING dated
July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if applicable,
any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and
(2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction
and that such a secondary resale transaction must be covered by an
effective registration statement containing the selling security holder
information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.
(iii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Company shall provide a supplemental letter to the
Commission (A) stating that the Company is registering the Exchange Offer
in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in EXXON CAPITAL
HOLDINGS CORPORATION (available May 13, 1988), MORGAN STANLEY AND CO., INC.
(available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the Commission's letter to
SHEARMAN & STERLING dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action
letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a
representation that the Company has not entered into any arrangement or
understanding with any Person to distribute the Series B Debentures to be
received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company's
information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is
acquiring the Series B Debentures in its ordinary course of business and
has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the
distribution of the Series B Debentures received in the Exchange Offer and
(C) any other undertaking or representation required by the Commission as
set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, if
applicable.
(b) SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall a)(i) comply with all the provisions
of Section 6(c) below and use its best efforts to effect such registration to
permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the
information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and
pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a
Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form
under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer
Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in accordance with
the provisions hereof, and
(ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A
Debentures covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
Agreement, Series B Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Debentures sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for cancellation; the
Company shall register Series B Debentures on the Shelf Registration Statement
for this purpose and issue the Series B Debentures to the purchaser(s) of
securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement in the names as such
purchaser(s) shall designate.
(c) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration
Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company
shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for
the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of
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this Agreement, as applicable. Upon the occurrence of any event that would
cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein
(A) to contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
(B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall
file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement or
supplement such Prospectus, as applicable, curing such defect, and, if
Commission review is required, use its best efforts to cause such
amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may
be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the
applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be;
cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus
supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under
the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable,
under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Act
with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the
intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth
in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
(iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such
Holder, confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with
respect to any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request
by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or
amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information
relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act or
of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification
of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding
purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event
that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto or any
document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement in
order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that requires the
making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or
any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue
an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of
the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or Blue Sky laws,
the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting
of such order at the earliest possible time;
(iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event
contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred,
prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the
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purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(v) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange
or sale, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any
Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments
or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including
all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such
Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and
comment of such Holders in connection with such sale, if any, for a period
of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents
incorporated by reference) to which such Holders shall reasonably object
within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be
deemed to have reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration
Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed
to be filed, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading or fails to comply with the applicable requirements of the Act;
(vi) promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to
be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus,
provide copies of such document to each Holder in connection with such
exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's representatives available for
discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and
include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as
such Holders may reasonably request;
(vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by
each Holder and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all
financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents of the Company
and cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such Holder, attorney or accountant
in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective
amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its
effectiveness;
(viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such
exchange or sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or
Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if
necessary, such information as such Holders may reasonably request to have
included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to
the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities; and make
all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the
matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment;
(ix) furnish to each Holder in connection with such exchange
or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement,
as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto,
including all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits
(including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
10
(x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of
the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company
hereby consents to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection
with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
(xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such
agreements (including underwriting agreements) and make such
representations and warranties and take all such other actions in
connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of
the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by
any Holder in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any applicable
Registration Statement. In such connection, the Company shall:
(A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the
case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use its best efforts to cause to be
furnished) to each Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or
upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the
case may be;
(1) a certificate, dated such date, signed on
behalf of the Company by (x) the President or any Vice President
and (y) a principal financial or accounting officer of the
Company, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set
forth in Sections 6(y), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase Agreement
and such other similar matters as such Holders may reasonably
request;
(2) an opinion, dated such date, of counsel
for the Company covering, to the extent relevant at such time,
matters similar to those set forth in paragraph (e) of Section 9
of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as such Holder
may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to
the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with
officers and other representatives of the Company,
representatives of the independent public accountants for the
Company and have considered the matters required to be stated
therein and the statements contained therein, although such
counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises
that, on the basis of the foregoing (relying as to materiality to
the extent such counsel deems appropriate upon the statements of
officers and other representatives of the Company) and without
independent check or verification, no facts came to such
counsel's attention that caused such counsel to believe that the
applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became
effective and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as of the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer,
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
state a material fact required to
11
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the
opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer,
as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may
state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for,
and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules
and other financial and statistical data included in any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the
related Prospectus; and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated such
date, from the Company's independent accountants, in the
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters to underwriters in connection with
underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters set forth in
the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(g) of the
Purchase Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Holders; and
(B) deliver such other documents and certificates as
may be reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence
compliance with the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any
customary conditions contained in any agreement entered into by the
Company pursuant to this clause (xi);
(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer
Restricted Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such
jurisdictions as the selling Holders may request and do any and all other
acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company
shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where
it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to
the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters
and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any
jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
(xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted
Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and to
register such Transfer Restricted Securities in such denominations and such
names as the selling Holders may request at least two Business Days prior
to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
12
(xiv) use its best efforts to cause the disposition of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to
consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject
to the proviso contained in clause (xii) above;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement
covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under
the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted
Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository
Trust Company;
(xvi) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally
available to its security holders with regard to any applicable
Registration Statement, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings
statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited)
covering a twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the
Registration Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule
158 under the Act);
(xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required
by this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee
and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required
for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the
TIA; and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute,
all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other
forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and
(xviii) until the disposition of all Transfer Restricted
Securities held by any Holder, provide promptly to such Holder, upon
request, each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the
requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) RESTRICTIONS ON HOLDERS. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a
"SUSPENSION NOTICE"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement
until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "RECOMMENCEMENT
DATE"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will
either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more
recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's
possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that
was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period
regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section
3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of
13
days equal to the number of days in the period from and including the date of
delivery of the Suspension Notice to the Recommencement Date.
SECTION 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES.
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or
compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees
and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or
securities laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates
for the Series B Debentures and printing of Prospectuses), (iv) reasonable
messenger, delivery service and telephone charges; (v) all fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company, and, in accordance with Section 7(b)
below, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (vi) all application and
filing fees in connection with listing Debentures on a national securities
exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof, in
the event the Debentures are so listed; and (vii) all fees and disbursements of
independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses
of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such
performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.
(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will reimburse the
Initial Purchaser and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are
tendering Series A Debentures into in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or
reselling Series A Debentures or Series B Debentures pursuant to the "Plan of
Distribution" contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the
Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Latham & Watkins,
unless another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration
Statement is being prepared.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder,
its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder
(within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act),
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments,
(including without limitation, any legal or other expenses incurred in
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that
could give rise to any such losses,
15
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments) caused by any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) provided by the Company to any Holder or any prospective
purchaser of Series B Debentures or registered Series A Debentures, or caused
by 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, liabilities or judgments are caused by an
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is
based upon information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to
the Company by any of the Holders.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally
and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and its directors
and officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, to the
same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company set forth in section (a)
above, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder furnished
in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration
Statement. In no event shall any Holder, its directors, officers or any Person
who controls such Holder be liable or responsible for any amount in excess of
the amount by which the total amount received by such Holder with respect to its
sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted
Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages that such Holder, its directors,
officers or any Person who controls such Holder has otherwise been required to
pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission.
(c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PERSON") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred (except that
in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant
to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required to assume the
defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may employ separate
counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of the Holder).
Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any
such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the
employment of such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by
the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume
the defense of such action or employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to any such action (including any
impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying
party, and the indemnified party shall have been advised by such counsel that
there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from
or additional to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the
indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action
on behalf of the indemnified party). In any such case, the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all indemnified parties and all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. Such firm shall be designated in writing by a majority of
the Holders, in the case of the parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a),
and by the Company, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b).
The indemnifying party shall indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments
or by reason of any settlement of any action (i) effected with its written
consent or (ii) effected without its written consent if the settlement is
entered into more than twenty business days after the indemnifying party shall
have received a request
15
from the indemnified party for reimbursement for the fees and expenses of
counsel (in any case where such fees and expenses are at the expense of the
indemnifying party) and, prior to the date of such settlement, the
indemnifying party shall have failed to comply with such reimbursement
request. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement or compromise of, or consent to
the entry of judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action in
respect of which the indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity or contribution may be or could have been sought hereunder by the
indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i)
includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability
on claims that are or could have been the subject matter of such action and
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability
or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.
(d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this
Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on
the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is
not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the
relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,
and of the Holder, on the other hand, 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 Company, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the
other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount
paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and judgments referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject
to the limitations set forth in Section 8(c), any legal or other fees or
expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or
defending any action or claim.
The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any
action that could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or judgments. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its
directors, its officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be
required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the
amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the
amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by
reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
16
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder
hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 9. RULE 144A AND RULE 144.
The Company agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in order
to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) REMEDIES. The Company acknowledge and agree that any failure by
the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may
result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchaser or the Holders
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, the Initial Purchaser or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be
required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 3 and
4 hereof. The Company further agree to waive the defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not, on or after
the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company has
not previously entered into any agreement that grants any registration rights
with respect to its securities to any Person. The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.
(c) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights
of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being
17
tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a
majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer.
(d) THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries of the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.
(e) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records
of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar
under the Indenture; and
(ii) if to the Company:
Great Lakes Acquisition Corp.
4 Greenspoint Plaza, Suite 2200
16945 Northchase Drive
Houston, Texas 77060
Telephone No.: (281) 775-4700
Telecopier No.: (281) 775-4722
Attention: President
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.
(f) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
including without limitation and without the need for an express assignment,
subsequent Holders; PROVIDED, that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any
assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities in
violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If
any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted Securities in any
manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Transfer Restricted
Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by
taking and holding such Transfer Restricted Securities such Person shall be
conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the restrictions on resale set
forth in this Agreement and, if applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof.
18
(g) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.
(j) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein,
with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to
the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject
matter.
[signature page follows]
19
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
GREAT LAKES ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ JAMES MCKENZIE
-------------------------------
Name: James McKenzie
Title: President and CEO
DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
By: /s/ MICHAEL HOOKS
- ---------------------------------
Name: Michael Hooks
Title: Managing Director
S-1