EXHIBIT 4.1
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MUZAK LLC
and
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.,
as Issuers,
The GUARANTORS named herein
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
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INDENTURE
Dated as of May 20, 2003
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10% Senior Notes due 2009
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
TIA Indenture
Section Section
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310(a)(1).................................................... 7.10
(a)(2).................................................... 7.10
(a)(3).................................................... N.A.
(a)(4).................................................... N.A.
(b)....................................................... 7.08; 7.10; 11.02
(b)(1).................................................... 7.10
(b)(9).................................................... 7.10
(c)....................................................... N.A.
311(a)....................................................... 7.11
(b)....................................................... 7.11
(c)....................................................... N.A.
312(a)....................................................... 2.05
(b)....................................................... 10.03
(c)....................................................... 10.03
313(a)....................................................... 7.06
(b)(1).................................................... 7.06
(b)(2).................................................... 7.06
(c)....................................................... 11.02
(d)....................................................... 7.06
314(a)....................................................... 4.02; 4.04; 11.02
(b)....................................................... N.A.
(c)(1).................................................... 11.04; 11.05
(c)(2).................................................... 11.04; 11.05
(c)(3).................................................... N.A.
(d)....................................................... N.A.
(e)....................................................... 10.05
(f)....................................................... N.A.
315(a)....................................................... 7.01; 7.02
(b)....................................................... 7.05; 10.02
(c)....................................................... 7.01
(d)....................................................... 6.05; 7.01; 7.02
(e)....................................................... 6.11
316(a) (last sentence)....................................... 11.06
(a)(1)(A)................................................. 6.05
(a)(1)(B)................................................. 6.04
(a)(2).................................................... 8.02
(b)....................................................... 6.07
(c)....................................................... 8.04
317(a)(1).................................................... 6.08
(a)(2).................................................... 6.09
(b)....................................................... 7.12
318(a)....................................................... 11.01
N.A. means Not Applicable
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NOTE: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of this Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions....................................................1
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.............................................34
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.............35
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.........................................36
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Dating; Incorporation of Form in Indenture....................36
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication..................................37
Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent....................................38
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust...........................38
Section 2.05. Noteholder Lists..............................................39
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.........................................39
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.............................................39
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.............................................40
Section 2.09. Temporary Notes...............................................40
Section 2.10. Cancellation..................................................40
Section 2.11. Defaulted Interest............................................41
Section 2.12. Deposit of Moneys.............................................41
Section 2.13. CUSIP Number..................................................41
Section 2.14. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes........................42
Section 2.15. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges.......................43
Section 2.16. Joint and Several Liability...................................47
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee............................................48
Section 3.02. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed..................48
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption..........................................48
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption................................49
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price...................................49
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part........................................50
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption...........................................50
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ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes..............................................51
Section 4.02. Provision of Financial Statements and Other Information.......51
Section 4.03. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.......................52
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default; Tax Information....52
Section 4.05. Taxes.........................................................53
Section 4.06. Limitation on Additional Indebtedness.........................53
Section 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments.............................54
Section 4.08. Limitation on Certain Asset Sales.............................58
Section 4.09. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates....................61
Section 4.10. Limitations on Liens..........................................63
Section 4.11. Limitations on Investments....................................64
Section 4.12. Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions................64
Section 4.13. Payments for Consent..........................................64
Section 4.14. Corporate Existence...........................................65
Section 4.15. Change of Control.............................................65
Section 4.16. Maintenance of Office or Agency...............................67
Section 4.17. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries..........................68
Section 4.18. Limitation on Conduct of Business.............................70
Section 4.19. Compliance with Laws..........................................70
Section 4.20. Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries......70
Section 4.21. Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries........................70
Section 4.22. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.......................71
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01. Limitation on Consolidation Merger and Sale of Assets.........72
Section 5.02. Successor Person Substituted..................................73
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.............................................73
Section 6.02. Acceleration..................................................75
Section 6.03. Other Remedies................................................76
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default.................76
Section 6.05. Control by Majority...........................................77
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Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits...........................................77
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment..........................78
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee....................................78
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim..............................78
Section 6.10. Priorities....................................................79
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.........................................79
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.............................................79
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.............................................81
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee..................................82
Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer..........................................82
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults............................................82
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.................................82
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity....................................83
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee........................................84
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger or Conversion......85
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.................................85
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.............85
Section 7.12. Paying Agents.................................................85
ARTICLE 8
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 8.01. Without Consent of Holders....................................86
Section 8.02. With Consent of Holders.......................................86
Section 8.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act...........................88
Section 8.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.............................88
Section 8.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes..............................88
Section 8.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc...............................89
ARTICLE 9
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
Section 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.......................89
Section 9.02. Legal Defeasance..............................................90
Section 9.03. Covenant Defeasance...........................................90
Section 9.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...............91
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Section 9.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held
in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions...................93
Section 9.06. Reinstatement.................................................94
Section 9.07. Moneys Held by Paying Agent...................................94
Section 9.08. Moneys Held by Trustee........................................94
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantees....................................................95
Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability.......................................96
Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns........................................97
Section 10.04. No Waiver.....................................................97
Section 10.05. Modification..................................................97
Section 10.06. Release of Guarantor..........................................98
Section 10.07. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors.....98
Section 10.08. Execution and Delivery of Guarantees..........................98
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls..................................99
Section 11.02. Notices.......................................................99
Section 11.03. Communications by Holders with Other Holders.................101
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent...........101
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion...............101
Section 11.06. When Treasury Notes Disregarded..............................102
Section 11.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents..................................102
Section 11.08. Business Days; Legal Holidays................................102
Section 11.09. Governing Law................................................102
Section 11.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements................102
Section 11.11. No Recourse Against Others...................................103
Section 11.12. Successors...................................................103
Section 11.13. Multiple Counterparts........................................103
Section 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.............................103
Section 11.15. Separability.................................................103
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Note.................................................A-1
Exhibit B Form of Legend for Global Notes..............................B-1
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Exhibit C Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers to Non-QIB Accredited Investors.................C-1
Exhibit D Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with
Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S........................D-1
Exhibit E Form of Guarantee............................................E-1
Exhibit F Form of Supplemental Indenture...............................F-1
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INDENTURE, dated as of May 20, 2003, among MUZAK LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (the "Company"), MUZAK FINANCE CORP., a Delaware
corporation ("Finance Corp." and, together with the Company, the "Issuers") each
of the Guarantors (as defined herein) and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a
national banking association, as trustee (the "Trustee").
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of (a) the Issuers' 10% Senior
Notes due 2009 issued on the date hereof (the "Initial Notes"), (b) any
Additional Notes (as defined herein) that may be issued after the date hereof
and (c) any notes, if and when issued as provided in the Registration Rights
Agreement (as defined herein) in exchange for any Initial Notes or Additional
Notes (the "Exchange Notes" and together with the Initial Notes and the
Additional Notes, the "Notes").
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions.
"ABRY" means ABRY Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
"ABRY Management Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Management
and Consulting Services Agreement dated as of March 18, 1999, and as amended
prior to the Issue Date, between ABRY and the Company.
"ABRY Subordinated Debt" means Indebtedness of the Company in
principal amount not to exceed $30.0 million in the aggregate at any time
outstanding (a) that is owed to ABRY III, ABRY, MEM Holdings, Inc. or any other
investment fund controlled by ABRY, (b) as to which the payment of principal of
(and premium, if any) and interest and other payment obligations in respect of
such Indebtedness shall be subordinate to the prior payment in full of the
Company's Obligations under the Notes such that no payments of principal (or
premium, if any) or interest on or otherwise due in respect of such Indebtedness
may be permitted for so long as any Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, (c) that shall automatically convert into common
equity of Holdings within 18 months of the date of issuance thereof, unless
refinanced, and (d) the terms of which have been determined to be fair and
reasonable to the Company as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors
of the Company and evidenced by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee.
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"ABRY II" means ABRY Broadcast Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership.
"ABRY III" means ABRY Broadcast Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership.
"Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (including an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with any other Person or which is
assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person and, in
each case, whether or not incurred by such Person in connection with, or in
anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary
or such merger, consolidation or acquisition.
"Acquisition EBITDA" means, with respect to any Asset Acquisition, (i)
EBITDA attributable to the assets to be acquired in such Asset Acquisition for
the same fiscal quarter utilized in determining "Consolidated Leverage Ratio" or
"Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio," as applicable, plus (ii) the projected,
quantifiable cost reductions expected to be realized and non-recurring costs and
expenses, in each case, in connection with such Asset Acquisition and as a
result of, in the case of cost reductions, an established program of cost
reductions adopted in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. For
purposes of the foregoing, cost reductions and non-recurring costs and expenses,
in each case, shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such cost
reductions and non-recurring costs and expenses, in each case, had been
implemented at the beginning of such fiscal quarter. Prior to the consummation
of any transaction requiring the inclusion of Acquisition EBITDA in the
calculation of Consolidated Leverage Ratio or Consolidated Senior Leverage
Ratio, as applicable, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate indicating the cost reductions and non-recurring costs and expenses,
in each case, taken into account in determining Acquisition EBITDA and the
assumptions underlying such cost reductions and non-recurring costs and
expenses.
"Additional Notes" means 10% Senior Notes due 2009 issued under the
terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date, whether pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
"Adjusted Net Assets" of any Person at any date shall mean the lesser
of
(1) the amount by which the fair salable value of the assets of such
Person at such date exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including,
without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all
other fixed and contingent liabilities), but excluding liabilities under
the Guarantee of such Person at such date, and
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(2) the amount by which the fair salable value of the assets of such
Person at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the
probable liability of such Person on its debts (after giving effect to all
other fixed and contingent liabilities and after giving effect to any
collection from any Subsidiary of such Person in respect of the obligations
of such Person under the Guarantee of such Person), excluding Indebtedness
in respect of the Guarantee of such Person, as they become absolute and
matured.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specific Person, any other
Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls,
or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. For
the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative
meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled by," and "under common control
with"), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; except that, for purposes of Section 4.09 of this
Indenture, beneficial ownership of at least 10.0% of the voting securities of a
Person, either directly or indirectly, shall be deemed to be control. However,
no Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) in whom a
Securitization Entity makes an Investment in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries solely by reason of such Investment.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent, co-registrar or agent for
service of notices and demands.
"Asset Acquisition" means
(1) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or
(2) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company of the assets of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company) which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of
such Person or comprise any division or line of business of such Person or
any other Properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary
course of business.
"Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, issuance, conveyance,
assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction), other than in the ordinary course of business or to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in any single transaction or
series of related transactions of
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(1) any Capital Stock of or other equity interest in any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or
(2) any other Property or assets of the Company or of any Restricted
Subsidiary thereof;
however, Asset Sales shall not include
(1) a transaction or series of related transactions for which the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive aggregate consideration of
less than $1.0 million,
(2) the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company as permitted under
Section 5.01 of this Indenture or any disposition that constitutes a Change
of Control,
(3) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts
receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in
connection with the compromise or collection thereof,
(4) the factoring of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary
course of business pursuant to customary arrangements,
(5) the licensing of intellectual property,
(6) disposals or replacements of obsolete equipment in the ordinary
course of business,
(7) sales of accounts receivable, equipment and related assets
(including contract rights) of the type specified in the definition of
Qualified Securitization Transaction to a Securitization Entity for the
fair market value thereof, including cash in an amount at least equal to
75% of the fair market value thereof as determined in accordance with GAAP
(for the purposes of this clause (7), Purchase Money Notes shall be deemed
to be cash),
(8) transfers of accounts receivable, equipment and related assets
(including contract rights) of the type specified in the definition of
Qualified Securitization Transaction (or a fractional undivided interest
therein) by a Securitization Entity in a Qualified Securitization
Transaction, and
(9) any transfer of assets acquired by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to an independent affiliate of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of the License
Agreements as such agreements are in effect on the Issue Date and as the
same may be amended or restated in a man-
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ner which is not more disadvantageous to the holders in any material
respect than the terms of such agreements as in effect on the Issue Date.
"Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale,
(1) cash and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such Asset Sale (including cash
and Cash Equivalent received as consideration for the assumption of
liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such Asset
Sale), after
(a) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or
resulting from such Asset Sale (after taking into account any
reduction in consolidated tax liability due to available tax credits
or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements),
(b) payment of all brokerage commissions, underwriting and other
fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale,
(c) provision for minority interest holders in any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such Asset Sale or otherwise
required to be repaid in connection with such Asset Sale,
(d) repayment of Indebtedness that is secured by the assets
subject to such Asset Sale, and
(e) deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a reserve, in
accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the
assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or
against any indemnification obligations associated with the assets
sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale, and
(2) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from such Asset Sale or
other disposition upon the liquidation or conversion of such notes or
non-cash consideration into cash or Cash Equivalents.
"Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the greater of
(1) the fair value of the Property subject to such arrangement and
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(2) the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implied in
such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP), of the total
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of
the lease included in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction (including any
period for which such lease has been extended).
"Available Asset Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale,
the aggregate Asset Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale that have not been
applied in accordance with clause (3)(a) or (3)(b), and that have not yet been
the basis for an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with clause (3)(c), of
Section 4.08(a) of this Indenture.
"Board of Directors" means, with respect to any Person, the board of
directors of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited liability company, the
board of managers of such company) or similar governing body or any duly
authorized committee thereof.
"Board Resolution" means with respect to any Person, a copy of a
resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person
to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in
full force and effect on the date of such certification.
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether
or not voting) of corporate stock, partnership or limited liability company
interests or any other participation, right or other interest in the nature of
an equity interest in such Person including, without limitation, Common Stock
and Preferred Stock of such Person, or any option, warrant or other security
convertible into any of the foregoing.
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means with respect to any Person,
Indebtedness represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be
capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the
amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations
determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Cash Equivalents" means
(1) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally
guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency or
instrumentality thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition thereof;
(2) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United
States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any
public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition thereof and, at the time
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of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from
either S&P or Moody's;
(3) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of
creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at
least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody's;
(4) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within
one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by (i) any bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank
having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of
not less than $250,000,000 or (ii) Brown Brothers Harriman;
(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for
underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) above entered
into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4)
above; and
(6) investments in money market funds which invest substantially all
their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through
(5) above.
A "Change of Control" of the Company will be deemed to have occurred
at such time as
(1) any Person or group of related Persons for purposes of Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act (a "Group"), other than a Permitted Holder,
becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 or any successor
rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that a Person
shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such
Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) of more than 35% of the
total voting power of the Company's Capital Stock, and the Permitted
Holders beneficially do not own, in the aggregate, a greater percentage of
the total voting power of the Capital Stock of the Company than such other
Person or Group and do not have the right or ability by voting power,
contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company,
(2) any consolidation or merger of the Company in which the Company is
consummated is not the continuing or surviving Person or pursuant to which
the Common Stock of the Company would be converted into cash, securities or
other Property, other than a merger or consolidation of the Company in
which the holders of the Capital Stock of the Company outstanding
immediately prior to the consolidation or merger hold, directly or
indirectly, at least a majority of the Capital Stock of the surviving
corporation immediately after such consolidation or merger,
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(3) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company
(together with any new Directors whose election by such Board of Directors
or whose nomination for election by the equityholders of the Company has
been approved by 66 2/3% of the Directors then still in office who either
were Directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
recommendation for election was previously so approved) cease to constitute
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company or
(4) the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any
plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether
or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture).
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Common Stock" of any Person means all Capital Stock of such Person
that is generally entitled to
(1) vote in the election of directors of such Person, or
(2) if such Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate
in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that
will control the management and policies of such Person.
"Company" means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this
Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 of this
Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person, for
any period, the aggregate amount of interest which, in conformity with GAAP,
would be set forth opposite the caption "interest expense" or any like caption
on an income statement for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis including, but not limited to,
(1) Redeemable Dividends, whether paid or accrued, on Preferred Stock,
(2) imputed interest included in Capitalized Lease Obligations,
(3) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing,
(4) the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations,
(5) amortization of other financing fees and expenses,
(6) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation,
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(7) amortization of discount or premium, if any, and
(8) all other non-cash interest expense (other than interest amortized
to cost of sales)
plus, without duplication,
(1) all net capitalized interest for such period,
(2) all interest incurred or paid under any guarantee of Indebtedness
(including a guarantee of principal, interest or any combination thereof)
of any Person, and
(3) the amount of all dividends or distributions paid on Disqualified
Capital Stock (other than dividends paid or payable in shares of Capital
Stock of the Company that does not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock).
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, with respect to any Person, the
ratio of
(1) the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock of any such
Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.20 of this
Indenture as of the date of calculation (the "Transaction Date") on a
consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP to
(2) the product of (a) such Person's EBITDA for the full fiscal
quarter (the "One Quarter Period") ending on or prior to the date of
determination for which financial statements are available and (b) four.
For purposes of this definition, clauses (1) and (2) above shall be calculated
after giving effect on a pro forma basis to:
(a) the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the issuance or
redemption or other repayment of Preferred Stock of any such
Restricted Subsidiary, and the application of the proceeds thereof,
giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence or
repayment of other Indebtedness and, in the case of any Restricted
Subsidiary, the issuance or redemption or other repayment of Preferred
Stock (and the application of the proceeds thereof), other than the
incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the ordinary course of
business for working capital purposes pursuant to working capital
facilities, occurring during the One Quarter Period or at any time
subsequent to the last day of the One Quarter Period and on or prior
to the Transaction Date, as if such incurrence or
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repayment or issuance or redemption or other repayment, as the case
may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the
first day of the One Quarter Period; and
(b) any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions occurring during the
One Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the
One Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such
Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption
or liability for any Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day
of the One Quarter Period as follows:
(x) with respect to Asset Sales, the EBITDA attributable to
the assets which are the subject of Asset Sales that occurred
shall be excluded; and
(y) with respect to Asset Acquisitions, the Acquisition
EBITDA attributable to the assets which are the subject of the
applicable Asset Acquisition shall be included.
If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly
guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the preceding paragraph shall give
effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed Indebtedness as if such Person or
any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person had directly incurred or otherwise
assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance
with GAAP; however,
(1) the Net Income of any Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary of
the referent Person shall be included only to the extent of the amount of
dividends or distributions paid to the referent Person or a Restricted
Subsidiary of such referent Person,
(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Person in
question that is subject to any restriction or limitation on the payment of
dividends or the making of other distributions shall be excluded to the
extent of such restriction or limitation,
(3) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall be
excluded,
(4) any net gain or loss (but in the case of any net loss, only to the
extent that such determination of Consolidated Net Income is being made in
connection with the determination of amounts available for Restricted
Payments pursuant to the provi-
-11-
sions described under Section 4.07 of this Indenture) resulting from an
Asset Sale by the Person in question or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,
(5) extraordinary gains and losses shall be excluded,
(6) income or loss attributable to discontinued operations (including,
without limitation, operations disposed of during such period whether or
not such operations were classified as discontinued) shall be excluded and
(7) in the case of a successor to the referent Person by consolidation
or merger or as a transferee of the referent Person's assets, any earnings
of the successor corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or
transfer of assets shall be excluded.
"Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio" means, with respect to any
Person, the ratio of
(1) the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Subordinated
Indebtedness) as of the date of calculation (the "Consolidated Senior
Leverage Ratio Transaction Date") on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP to
(2) the product of (a) such Person's EBITDA for the full fiscal
quarter (the "Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period")
ending on or prior to the date of determination for which financial
statements are available and (b) four.
For purposes of this definition, clauses (1) and (2) above will be
calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to:
(a) the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such Person or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the application of the proceeds
thereof giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence
or repayment of other Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds
thereof, other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness in the
ordinary course of business for working capital purposes pursuant to
working capital facilities, occurring during the Consolidated Senior
Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period or at any time subsequent to the last day
of the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period and on or
prior to the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio Transaction Date, as if
such incurrence or repayment and the application of the proceeds thereof,
occurred on the first day of the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One
Quarter Period; and
(b) any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions occurring during the
Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period or at any time
subsequent to the last
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day of the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period and on or
prior to the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio Transaction Date, as if
such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, including the incurrence, assumption
or liability for any Acquired Indebtedness, occurred on the first day of
the Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio One Quarter Period as follows:
(x) with respect to Asset Sales, the EBITDA attributable to the
assets which are the subject of Asset Sales that occurred will be
excluded; and
(y) with respect to Asset Acquisitions, the Acquisition EBITDA
attributable to the assets which are the subject of the applicable
Asset Acquisition will be included.
If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or
indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the preceding paragraph
will give effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed Indebtedness as if such
Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person had directly incurred or
otherwise assumed such guaranteed Indebtedness.
"Control Investment Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other
Person which (a) is an Affiliate of such Person and (b) is organized by such
Person primarily for the purpose of making equity or debt investments in one or
more companies.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the corporate trust office of the
Trustee which at any particular time it shall have designated as the office at
which this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date
of execution of this Indenture is located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Services.
"Cumulative Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any
Person, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Interest Expense from
April 1, 2003 to the end of such Person's most recently ended full fiscal
quarter prior to such date, taken as a single accounting period.
"Cumulative EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person, as of any date
of determination, EBITDA from April 1, 2003 to the end of such Person's most
recently ended full fiscal quarter prior to such date, taken as a single
accounting period.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Depository" means, with respect to the Notes issued in the form of
one or more Global Notes, The Depository Trust Company or another Person
designated as Depository by the Company, which Person must be a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act.
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"Director" means, with respect to any Person, a member of the Board of
Directors of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited liability company, a
member of the board of managers of such Person).
"Disqualified Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person or a
Restricted Subsidiary thereof which, by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the
option of the holder), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or
prior to the maturity date of the Notes. Without limitation of the foregoing,
Disqualified Capital Stock shall be deemed to include any Preferred Stock of a
Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, with respect to either of
which, under the terms of such Preferred Stock, by agreement or otherwise, such
Person or Restricted Subsidiary is obligated to pay current dividends or
distributions in cash during the period prior to the maturity date of the Notes;
provided, however, that Preferred Stock of a Person or any Restricted Subsidiary
thereof that is issued with the benefit of provisions requiring a change of
control offer or asset sale offer to be made for such Preferred Stock in the
event of a change of control of such Person or Restricted Subsidiary or the sale
of any assets of such Person or Restricted Subsidiary which provisions have
substantially the same effect as the provisions described under Sections 4.15
and 4.08 of this Indenture, respectively, shall not be deemed to be Disqualified
Capital Stock solely by virtue of such provisions.
"EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, for any period, an amount equal to
(1) the sum of
(a) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus
(b) the provision for taxes for such period based on income or
profits to the extent such income or profits were included in
computing Consolidated Net Income and any provision for taxes utilized
in computing net loss under clause (a) hereof, plus
(c) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, plus
(d) depreciation for such period on a consolidated basis, plus
(e) amortization of intangibles for such period (but excluding
any non-cash item to the extent it represents the amortization of a
prepaid cash expense that was paid in any prior period) on a
consolidated basis, plus
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(f) transaction expenses incurred in connection with the offering
of the Initial Notes, including, without limitation, any charge
relating to the early extinguishment of debt as a result of the use of
proceeds from the offering of the Initial Notes, plus
(g) any other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income for
such period except for any non-cash items that represent accruals of,
or reserves for, cash disbursements to be made in any future
accounting period, minus
(2) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income (other than
any non-cash items representing deferred revenue to the extent that such
revenue was not included in Consolidated Net Income in any prior period)
for such period, all for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
except, that, for purposes of calculating EBITDA during any fiscal quarter, cash
income from a particular Investment (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) of such
Person shall be included only if
(1) cash income has been received by such Person with respect to such
Investment during each of the previous four fiscal quarters, or
(2) the cash income derived from such Investment is attributable to
Cash Equivalents.
"Electro Systems" means Electro Systems Corporation, a Florida
corporation.
"Electro Systems Acquisition" means the acquisition of Electro Systems
pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 18, 1999 between the
Company and Carolina Georgia Sound, Inc.
"Equity Offering" means any public or private sale of Common Stock
(other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company or Holdings pursuant to
which the Company or Holdings, as the case may be, receives net proceeds of at
least $20.0 million; except that in the case of an Equity Offering by Holdings,
Holdings shall have contributed to the capital of the Company the portion of the
net proceeds necessary to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07(b) of this
Indenture.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
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"Exchange Notes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
second paragraph of this Indenture.
"Existing Notes" means the $115.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 of the Issuers issued
pursuant to the Existing Notes Indenture.
"Existing Notes Indenture" means the indenture dated as of March 18,
1999 by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee (acting in such capacity as successor to State Street
Bank and Trust Company, as original trustee under such indenture), pursuant to
which the Existing Notes are issued, as the same may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"fair market value" means, with respect to any asset or Property, the
price which could be negotiated in an arm's-length, free market transaction, for
cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is
under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Fair market
value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company acting
reasonably and in good faith and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution of the
Company delivered to the Trustee.
"Finance Corp." means the party named as such in the first paragraph
of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 of
this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
"Foreign Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company that is not organized under the laws of the United States or any State
thereof or the District of Columbia.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied as in effect in the United States from time to time.
"Guarantee" means any guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers
under this Indenture and the Notes by Holdings and any Restricted Subsidiary in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. When used as a verb,
"Guarantee" shall have a corresponding meaning.
"Guarantor" means each of Holdings and each Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company which Guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of this Indenture;
provided that upon the release and discharge of such Restricted Subsidiary from
its Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such Restricted
Subsidiary shall cease to be a Guarantor.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the net
payment obligations of such Person under (a) interest rate swap agreements,
interest rate cap agreements
-16-
and interest rate collar agreements and (b) other agreements or arrangements
entered into in order to protect such Person against fluctuations in commodity
prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates.
"Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a Note is
registered on the Registrar's books.
"Holdings" means Muzak Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company, until a successor replaces such party pursuant to this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor.
"incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of
any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise),
assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or
other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of
any such Indebtedness or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person
(and "incurrence," "incurred," "incurrable," and "incurring" shall have meanings
correlative to the foregoing); however a change in GAAP that results in an
obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Indebtedness shall
not be deemed an incurrence of such Indebtedness.
"Indebtedness" means (without duplication), with respect to any
Person, any indebtedness at any time outstanding, secured or unsecured,
contingent or otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the
recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a
portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any Property (excluding, without limitation, any balances that
constitute accounts payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities
arising in the ordinary course of business) if and to the extent any of the
foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, and shall also include, to the extent
not otherwise included
(1) any Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person,
(2) obligations secured by a lien to which the Property or assets
owned or held by such Person is subject, whether or not the obligation or
obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed,
(3) guarantees of items of other Persons which would be included
within this definition for such other Persons (whether or not such items
would appear upon the balance sheet of the guarantor),
(4) all obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter
of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction,
-17-
(5) Disqualified Capital Stock of such Person or any Restricted
Subsidiary thereof, and
(6) hedging obligations of any such Person (if and to the extent such
hedging obligations would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of
such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP).
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and,
with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the
occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, however:
(1) the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with
original issue discount is the principal amount of such Indebtedness less
the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such
Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP,
(2) Indebtedness shall not include any liability for federal, state,
local or other taxes,
(3) the amount of Indebtedness of a Person which is without recourse
to any Property or assets of such Person except to the extent of any Lien
on Property or assets of such Person which secures such Indebtedness shall
be the lesser of the principal amount of such Indebtedness and the fair
market value of the Property or assets subject to the Lien, and
(4) the amount of Indebtedness represented by Disqualified Capital
Stock shall be the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation
preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price, but excluding accrued
dividends, if any.
The "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Disqualified Capital Stock
which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance
with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified
Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required
to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or
measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock, such fair
market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the issuer of such Disqualified Capital Stock.
For purposes of this definition, any trade payable arising from the
purchase of goods or materials or for services obtained in the ordinary course
of business shall not be deemed to be "Indebtedness" of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries for purposes of this definition. Furthermore,
guarantees of (or obligations with respect to letters of
-18-
credit supporting) Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such
amount shall not also be included.
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended, restated or supplemented
from time to time.
"Independent Financial Advisor" means an investment banking firm of
national reputation in the United States
(1) which does not, and whose directors, officers and employees or
Affiliates do not, have a direct or indirect financial interest in the
Company and
(2) which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company,
is otherwise independent and qualified to perform the task for which it is
to be engaged.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7)
promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Interest Payment Date" means the stated maturity of an installment of
interest on the Notes.
"Investments" means, with respect to any Person, directly or
indirectly, any advance, account receivable (other than advances and accounts
receivable arising in the ordinary course of business of such Person), loan or
capital contribution to (by means of transfers of Property to others, payments
for Property or services for the account or use of others or otherwise), or the
purchase of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership or joint
venture interests or other securities of, or acquisition, by purchase or
otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets or stock or
other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or the making of any
investment in any Person.
Investments shall exclude
(1) extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in
accordance with normal trade practices of such Person and
(2) the repurchase of securities of any Person by such Person.
If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Capital Stock of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company such that such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer
constitute a Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment
on the date of any such sale or disposition
-19-
equal to the fair market value of the Capital Stock of such Restricted
Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.
"Issue Date" means May 20, 2003, the date of issuance of the Initial
Notes under this Indenture.
"Issuers" means each party named as such in the first paragraph of
this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 of
this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
"License Agreements" means the License Agreements between the Company
and its independent affiliates.
"Lien" means, with respect to any Property or assets of any Person,
any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, encumbrance, preference,
priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever on or with respect to such Property or assets (including
without limitation, any Capitalized Lease Obligation, conditional sales, or
other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as
any of the foregoing).
"Maturity Date" means February 15, 2009.
"Maximum Secured Amount" means, as of any date of determination, the
maximum amount of Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) that, as
of such date, and after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and
the application of the proceeds therefrom on such date, would not cause the
Consolidated Senior Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.00 to 1.0.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
"Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net
income (loss) of such Person determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Notes" has the meaning assigned thereto in the second paragraph of
this Indenture.
"Obligations" means all obligations for principal, premium, interest,
penalties, charges, fees, fees and expenses of counsel, indemnities,
reimbursement obligations, damages, claims and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
-20-
"Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chief Executive
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the President or any Vice
President, of such Person.
"Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice
President and the Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person that
complies with applicable provisions of this Indenture.
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who
and which is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee complying with the
requirements of this Indenture. Such legal counsel shall be outside counsel and
not an employee of or in-house counsel to the Company.
"Permitted Asset Swap" means, with respect to any Person, the
substantially concurrent exchange of assets of such Person for assets of another
Person which are useful to the business of such aforementioned Person.
"Permitted Holders" means each of ABRY III, ABRY II and each Control
Investment Affiliate of ABRY III or ABRY II.
"Permitted Indebtedness" means:
(1) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising
under or in connection with any Senior Credit Facility in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $100.0 million outstanding at any time less
(i) the amount of all repayments of term loans and permanent commitment
reductions in the revolving credit portion of the Senior Credit Facility
actually made with Available Asset Sale Proceeds of Asset Sales applied
thereto as required by Section 4.08 and (ii) the aggregate amount of
Indebtedness of Securitization Entities in Qualified Securitization
Transactions (other than Qualified Securitization Transactions involving
equipment and related assets);
(2) Indebtedness under the Initial Notes and the Guarantees thereof
(and any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for Initial Notes and Guarantees
thereof) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $220.0 million;
(3) Indebtedness not covered by any other clause of this definition
which is outstanding on the Issue Date, including Indebtedness under the
Existing Notes and the related guarantees in the aggregate principal amount
of $115.0 million;
(4) Indebtedness of the Company to any Guarantor or to any Wholly
Owned Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidi-
-21-
ary to the Company or to any Guarantor or to any Wholly Owned Subsidiary
that is not a Guarantor;
(5) Purchase Money Indebtedness that does not in the aggregate exceed
5% of the Company's consolidated total assets;
(6) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
Hedging Obligations that are incurred in the ordinary course of business of
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;
provided that, in the case of any Hedging Obligation that relates to (i)
interest rate risk, the notional principal amount of such Hedging
Obligation does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness to
which such Hedging Obligation related and (ii) currency risk, such Hedging
Obligation does not increase the Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding other than as a result of fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and
compensation payable thereunder;
(7) Refinancing Indebtedness;
(8) Indebtedness of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company in
an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10.0 million at any one time
outstanding; provided the aggregate amount then outstanding under this
clause (8) when added to the aggregate amount then outstanding under clause
(1) above shall not exceed the aggregate amount permitted under clause (1)
above;
(9) guarantees by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of each
other's Indebtedness; provided that such Indebtedness is permitted to be
incurred under this Indenture;
(10) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters
of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including, without
limitation, letters of credit in respect of workers' compensation claims or
self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type
obligations regarding workers' compensation claims;
(11) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company providing for indemnification,
adjustment of purchase price, earn out or other similar obligations, in
each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or
disposition of any business, assets or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person
acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Restricted
Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that, in
the case of a disposition, the maximum assumable liability in respect of
all such Indebtedness shall at no time ex-
-22-
ceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;
(12) obligations in respect of performance and surety bonds and
completion guarantees provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company in the ordinary course of business;
(13) the ABRY Subordinated Debt;
(14) the incurrence by a Securitization Entity of Indebtedness in a
Qualified Securitization Transaction that is not recourse to the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company (except for Standard Securitization
Undertakings);
(15) Indebtedness of the Company issued to current or former members
of management of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
finance the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of Capital Stock of
Holdings pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(6) of this Indenture; and
(16) additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries not to exceed $5.0 million in aggregate principal amount at
any one time outstanding.
"Permitted Investments" means
(1) Investments by the Company or by a Restricted Subsidiary thereof
in the Company, a Guarantor or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is not a
Guarantor;
(2) Investments by the Company or by a Restricted Subsidiary thereof
in a Person, if as a result of such Investment
(a) such Person becomes a Guarantor or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
that is not a Guarantor or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or
into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or
is liquidated into, the Company, a Guarantor or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor;
(3) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
(4) reasonable and customary loans and advances made to employees in
the ordinary course of business;
(5) an Investment that is made by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary thereof in the form of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes,
debentures, partnership or joint
-23-
venture interests or other securities that are issued by a third party to
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary solely as partial consideration
for the consummation of an Asset Sale that is otherwise permitted under
Section 4.08 of this Indenture;
(6) Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of the
Company's or its Restricted Subsidiaries' business and not for speculative
purposes;
(7) any acquisition of assets to be used in the business of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries solely in exchange for the
issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the
Company;
(8) additional Investments not to exceed $5.0 million at any one time
outstanding;
(9) Investments existing on the Issue Date;
(10) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers
received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon
the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;
(11) guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries
of the Company under this Indenture; and
(12) any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company in a Securitization Entity or any Investment by a Securitization
Entity in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Securitization
Transaction; as long as any Investment in a Securitization Entity is in the
form of a Purchase Money Note or an equity interest.
"Permitted Liens" means
(1) Liens on Property or assets of, or any shares of Capital Stock of
or secured indebtedness of, any Person existing at the time such Person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or at the time such Person
is merged into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; as long
as such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or merging into
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
(2) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to
clause (1) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness";
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(3) Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Subordinated
Indebtedness); provided that the amount of the Indebtedness secured by such
Lien does not, at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, exceed (x)
the Maximum Secured Amount less (y) the maximum amount of Indebtedness then
permitted to be incurred under clause (1) of the definition of "Permitted
Indebtedness";
(4) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that any such
Lien does not extend to or cover any Property, Capital Stock or
Indebtedness other than the Property, shares or debt securing the
Indebtedness so refunded, refinanced or extended,
(5) Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries,
(6) Liens securing industrial revenue bonds,
(7) Liens to secure Purchase Money Indebtedness permitted to be
incurred pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of "Permitted
Indebtedness", as long as
(a) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Lien
does not exceed 100% of the purchase price, or the cost of
installation, construction or improvement, of the Property to which
such Purchase Money Indebtedness relates, and
(b) such Lien does not extend to or cover any Property other than
such item of Property and any improvements on such Property,
(8) statutory Liens or landlords', carriers', warehousemen's,
mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's, repairmen's or other like Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business which do not secure any
Indebtedness and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if a reserve or other
appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
shall have been made therefor,
(9) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
(10) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions and other similar
charges or encumbrances or title defects or leases or subleases granted to
others in respect of real property not interfering in any material respect
with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries,
-25-
(11) other Liens securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course
of business which obligations do not exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate
at any one time outstanding,
(12) (a) Liens existing on the Issue Date and (b) Liens securing the
Notes and the Guarantees thereof,
(13) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance
and other types of social security, including landlord Liens on leased
properties and any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice in connection therewith,
or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and
appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and
return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations,
(14) attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of
Default,
(15) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and
proceeds of any Person securing such Person's obligations in respect of
bankers' acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to
facilitate the purchase, shipment, or storage of such inventory or other
goods,
(16) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to
commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other Property
relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof,
(17) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising
from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset
and set-off,
(18) Liens securing Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness
that is otherwise permitted under this Indenture,
(19) Liens securing Indebtedness of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries of
the Company incurred in reliance on clause (8) of the definition of
"Permitted Indebtedness",
(20) Liens on assets transferred to a Securitization Entity or on
assets of a Securitization Entity, in either case incurred in connection
with a Qualified Securitization Transaction,
(21) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements regarding leases,
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(22) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods,
(23) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure
liability to insurance carriers,
(24) any interest or title of a lessor or a sublessor under an
operating lease,
(25) Liens under licensing agreements for use of intellectual property
entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(26) Liens imposed by law incurred by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,
(27) any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals of the
foregoing, and
(28) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in reliance on clause (16)
of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness."
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government, including any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Preferred Stock" means any Capital Stock of a Person, however
designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to
dividends, distributions or liquidation proceeds of such Person over the holders
of other Capital Stock issued by such Person.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend initially set forth on the
Notes in the form set forth on Exhibit A.
"Property" of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible,
intangible or mixed property owned by such Person whether or not included in the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries under
GAAP.
"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease
Obligations of any Person incurred in the normal course of business of such
Person for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, or
the cost of installation, construction or improvement of, any Property.
"Purchase Money Note" means a promissory note of a Securitization
Entity evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company in connection with a Qualified Securitization
Transaction to a Securitization
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Entity, which note shall be repaid from cash available to the Securitization
Entity, other than amounts required to be established as reserves pursuant to
agreements, amounts paid to investors in respect of interest, principal and
other amounts owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the
purchase of newly generated receivables or newly acquired equipment.
"Qualified Institutional Buyer" or "QIB" shall have the meaning
specified in Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Qualified Securitization Transaction" means any transaction or series
of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any or its Subsidiaries may sell,
convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Securitization Entity (in the case of a
transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and (b) any other Person (in
the case of a transfer by a Securitization Entity), or may grant a security
interest in, any accounts receivable or equipment (whether now existing or
arising or acquired in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral
securing such accounts receivable and equipment, all contracts and contract
rights and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts
receivable and equipment, proceeds of such accounts receivable and equipment and
other assets (including contract rights) which are customarily transferred or in
respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with
asset securitization transactions involving accounts receivable and equipment.
"Redeemable Dividend" means, for any dividend or distribution with
regard to Preferred Stock, the quotient of the dividend or distribution divided
by the difference between one and the maximum statutory federal income tax rate
(expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of
such Preferred Stock.
"Redemption Date" when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed
means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture.
"Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that refunds,
refinances, modifies, replaces, defers, supplements or extends any Indebtedness
outstanding on the Issue Date or other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture (other than pursuant to clauses (1), (4), (6) and (8) through (16) of
the definition of Permitted Indebtedness), but only to the extent that
(1) the Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes to at
least the same extent as the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced,
modified, replaced, deferred, supplemented or extended, if at all,
(2) the Refinancing Indebtedness is scheduled to mature either:
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(a) no earlier than the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced,
modified, replaced, deferred, supplemented or extended, or
(b) after the maturity date of the Notes,
(3) the portion, if any, of the Refinancing Indebtedness that is
scheduled to mature on or prior to the maturity date of the Notes has a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness
is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of the portion of the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced,
modified, replaced, deferred, supplemented or extended that is scheduled to
mature on or prior to the maturity date of the Notes, and
(4) such Refinancing Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount
that is equal to or less than the sum of:
(a) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness being
refunded, refinanced, modified, replaced, deferred, supplemented or
extended,
(b) the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, and
premiums owed, if any, not in excess of preexisting prepayment
provisions on such Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced, modified,
replaced, deferred, supplemented or extended and
(c) the amount of customary fees, expenses and costs related to
the incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means (i) the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of May 20, 2003 among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Bear
Stearns, & Co. Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., as Initial
Purchasers and (ii) with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more similar
registration rights agreements between the Issuers and the other parties thereto
relating to rights given by the Issuers to the purchasers of such Additional
Notes.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities
Act.
"Restricted Payment" means any of the following:
(1) the declaration or payment of any dividend or any other
distribution or payment on Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or any payment made to the direct or indirect
holders (in their capacities as such) of Capital Stock of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (a) dividends or
distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Capital Stock), and (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries of the
Com-
-29-
pany, dividends or distributions payable to the Company or to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and to the other holders of Capital Stock of each
such Restricted Subsidiary, in each case on a pro rata basis),
(2) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than Capital Stock owned by the Company or a Wholly
Owned Subsidiary of the Company, excluding Disqualified Capital Stock),
(3) the making of any principal payment on, or the purchase,
defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Subordinated Indebtedness prior to any scheduled maturity,
scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment (other than
subordinated Indebtedness acquired in anticipation of satisfying a
scheduled sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity,
in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition) and other than
the ABRY Subordinated Debt,
(4) the making of any Investment or guarantee of any Investment in any
Person other than a Permitted Investment,
(5) any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary (valued at the fair market value of the net assets of such
Restricted Subsidiary) and
(6) forgiveness of any Indebtedness of an Affiliate of the Company
(other than a Restricted Subsidiary) to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company.
"Restricted Security" has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(3)
promulgated under the Securities Act; provided that the Trustee shall be
entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with
respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Security.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate
any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Person that is to become a Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such action (and
treating any Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Person as having
been incurred at the time of such action),
(1) the Company could have incurred at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.06
of this Indenture, and
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(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or result therefrom.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" means any arrangement with any
Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company of any real or tangible personal property, which Property has been
or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to
such Person in contemplation of such leasing.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies and its successors.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
"Securitization Entity" means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company
(or another Person in which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company makes
an Investment and to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
transfers accounts receivable or equipment and related assets) which engages in
no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable
or equipment and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company
(as provided below) as a Securitization Entity: (a) no portion of the
Indebtedness or any other obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is
guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (excluding guarantees
of obligations (other than the principal of, and interest on, Indebtedness)
pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or
obligates the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in any way other than
pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings or (iii) subjects any Property
or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, directly or
indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than
pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, (b) with which neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has any material contract, agreement,
arrangement or understanding other than on terms no less favorable to the
Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from
Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, other than fees payable in the
ordinary course of business in connection with servicing receivables of such
entity, and (c) to which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company
has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity's financial condition or
cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such
designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the
Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution of
the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
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"Senior Credit Facility" means one or more credit agreements, loan
agreements, indentures or similar agreements providing for working capital
advances, term loans, debt obligations, letter of credit facilities or similar
advances, loans, obligations or facilities to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, including the Credit Agreement dated as of May 20, 2003 (the
"Credit Agreement"), among the Company, Holdings, certain of the Company's
subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders
thereunder, Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as Syndication Agent, Bear Stearns
Corporate Lending Inc., as Administrative Agent, and Bear Stearns, & Co. Inc.
and Lehman Brothers Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers, initially providing for a
revolving credit facility including any related notes, guarantees, collateral
documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as such
credit facilities and/or related documents may be further amended, restated,
supplemented, renewed, refinanced, replaced, restructured or otherwise modified
from time to time whether or not with the same agents, trustee, representative
lenders or group of lenders or holders, and irrespective of any changes in the
terms and conditions thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the term "Senior Credit Facility" shall also include agreements in respect of
interest rate agreements and hedging obligations with lenders party to any
Senior Credit Facility and their affiliates and shall also include any
amendment, amendment and restatement, renewal, extension, restructuring,
supplement or modification to any Senior Credit Facility and any and all
refundings, refinancings (in whole or in part) and replacements of any Senior
Credit Facility, whether by the same or any other agents, trustee,
representative lenders or lenders or group of lenders, including one or more
agreements (i) extending the maturity of, or increasing the amount of, any
Indebtedness incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, or (ii) adding or
deleting borrowers or guarantors thereunder, so long as borrowers and issuers
include one or more of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and their
respective successors and assigns.
"Senior Discount Notes" means $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount
at maturity of 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2010 of Holdings and Muzak Holdings
Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, as co-issuers, in accordance with the
terms of such securities as in effect on the Issue Date.
"Senior Discount Notes Indenture" means the indenture pursuant to
which the Senior Discount Notes were issued, as the same may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"Significant Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that satisfies the criteria for a
"significant subsidiary" set forth in Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X under the
Securities Act, as such Rule is in effect on the Issue Date.
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"Standard Securitization Undertakings" means representations,
warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company which are reasonably customary in an accounts
receivable or equipment transaction.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company or any
Guarantor that is by its terms expressly subordinated in right of payment to the
Notes or the Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be.
"Subsidiary" of any specified Person means any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other
business entity, whether now existing or hereafter organized or acquired,
(1) in the case of a corporation, of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors,
officers or trustees thereof is held by such first-named Person or any of
its Subsidiaries; or
(2) in the case of a partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, association or other business entity, with respect to which such
first-named Person or any of its Subsidiaries has the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity by
contract or otherwise or if in accordance with GAAP such entity is
consolidated with the first-named Person for financial statement purposes.
However, a charitable trust or foundation organized pursuant to Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not be a
"Subsidiary."
"Trust Indenture Act" or "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(15 U.S. Code (S)(S) 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture
(except as provided in Section 8.03 hereof).
"Trust Officer" means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate
Trust Department with direct responsibility for the administration of the trusts
established hereby and, also, with respect to any particular matter, any other
officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such officer's
knowledge of, and familiarity with, the particular subject.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the
successor.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means
(1) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and
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(2) any Subsidiary of the Company which is classified after the Issue
Date as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by a Board Resolution of the Company;
provided, however, that a Subsidiary may be so classified as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary only if
(a) such classification is in compliance with Section 4.07 of this
Indenture,
(b) immediately after giving effect to such classification, the
Company could have incurred at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
(other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.06 of this
Indenture,
(c) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or result therefrom, and
(d) neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any
time
(i) provide a guarantee of, or similar credit support to, any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement
or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness),
(ii) be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of
such Subsidiary or
(iii) be directly or indirectly liable for any other Indebtedness
which provides that the holder thereof may (upon notice, lapse of time
or both) declare a default thereon (or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity) upon the
occurrence of a default with respect to any other Indebtedness (other
than Indebtedness assumed by such Subsidiary in connection with the
Electro Systems Acquisition) that is Indebtedness of such Subsidiary
(including any corresponding right to take enforcement action against
such Subsidiary),
except in the case of clause (i) or (ii) to the extent
(x) that the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could
otherwise provide such a guarantee or incur such Indebtedness (other
than as Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.06 of this
Indenture and
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(y) the provision of such guarantee and the incurrence of such
Indebtedness otherwise would be permitted under Section 4.07 of this
Indenture.
The Trustee shall be given prompt notice by the Company of each Board Resolution
of the Company under this provision, together with a copy of each such Board
Resolution. Electro Systems shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the Issue
Date.
"U.S. Government Obligations" means (a) securities that are direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit are pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are
not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government
Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S.
Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such
custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the
holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in
respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal or
interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the
account of the holder of such depository receipt.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (a) the then
outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness into (b) the sum of
the total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment
of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii)
the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary, all of the
outstanding voting securities (other than directors' qualifying shares) of which
are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
The definitions of the following terms may be found in the sections
indicated as follows:
Term Defined in Section
---- ------------------
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"Affiliate Transaction"................................................. 4.09
"Agent Members"......................................................... 2.14
"Bankruptcy Law"........................................................ 6.01
"Business Day".......................................................... 11.08
"Certificated Notes".................................................... 2.01
"Change of Control Offer"............................................... 4.15
"Change of Control Payment Date"........................................ 4.15
"Change of Control Purchase Price"...................................... 4.14
"Covenant Defeasance"................................................... 9.03
"Custodian"............................................................. 6.01
"Event of Default"...................................................... 6.01
"Excess Proceeds Offer"................................................. 4.08
"Excess Proceeds Payment Date".......................................... 4.08
"Global Notes".......................................................... 2.01
"Guaranteed Obligations................................................. 10.01
"Legal Defeasance"...................................................... 9.02
"Legal Holiday"......................................................... 11.08
"Paying Agent".......................................................... 2.03
"Permitted Tax Distributions"........................................... 4.07
"Registered Exchange"................................................... 2.02
"Registrar"............................................................. 2.03
"Regulation S Global Notes"............................................. 2.01
"Resale Restriction Termination Date"................................... 2.15
"U.S. Global Notes"..................................................... 2.01
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion
of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture
to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of
this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the
following meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Notes.
"indenture securityholder" means a Noteholder.
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.
"obligor on the indenture securities" means the Issuers, the
Guarantors or any other obligor on the Notes.
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All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have
the meanings therein assigned to them.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined
expressly or by reference;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) "or" is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
include the singular; and
(5) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to every gender.
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Dating; Incorporation of Form in Indenture.
The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A which is incorporated in and made part of
this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required
by law, stock exchange rule or usage. The Issuers may use "CUSIP" numbers in
issuing the Notes. The Issuers shall approve the form of the Notes. Each Note
shall be dated the date of its authentication.
Unless the applicable Holder requests Notes in the form of physical
certificated Notes in registered form ("Certificated Notes"), which shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A, Notes offered and sold in reliance on
Rule 144A or in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be
issued initially in the form of permanent Global Notes in registered form,
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A ("Global Notes"), deposited
with the Depository, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the
Trustee as hereinafter provided and shall bear the legend set forth on Exhibit
B. The aggregate principal amount of any Global Note may from time to time be
increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Depository, as
hereinafter provided.
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Notes offered and sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers in reliance
on Rule 144A issued in the form of one or more Global Notes (the "U.S. Global
Note") shall be registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee and
deposited with the Depository, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by
the Trustee as hereinafter provided, for credit by the Depository to the
respective accounts of beneficial owners of the Notes represented thereby (or
such other accounts as they may direct).
Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S issued in the form
of Global Notes (the "Regulation S Global Note") shall be registered in the name
of the Depository or its nominee, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated
by the Trustee as hereinafter provided, for credit by the Depository to the
respective accounts of the beneficial owners of the Notes represented thereby
(or such other accounts as they may direct).
The Issuers shall cause the U.S. Global Note and the Regulation S
Global Note to have separate CUSIP and ISIN numbers.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
The Notes shall be executed on behalf of the Issuers by two Officers
of each of the Issuers or an Officer and the Secretary of each of the Issuers.
Such signature may be either manual or facsimile.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid
nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Note. Such signature shall be conclusive
evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee or an authenticating agent shall authenticate (i) Initial
Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of
$220,000,000 and (ii) Exchange Notes from time to time for issue only in
exchange for a like principal amount of Initial Notes, in each case upon receipt
of an authentication order in the form of an Officers' Certificate. The Trustee
shall authenticate Additional Notes thereafter in unlimited amount (so long as
not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including, without
limitation, Section 4.06), and the same principal amount of Exchange Notes in
exchange therefor, in each case upon receipt of an authentication order in the
form of an Officers' Certificate. Exchange Notes may have such distinctive
series designation and "CUSIP" numbers as and such changes in the form thereof
as are specified in the Officers' Certificate referred to in the preceding
sentence. Exchange Notes issued pursuant to a Registered Exchange (as defined in
the Registration Rights Agreement) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent to authenticate Notes.
Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by an authorized
officer of the Trustee, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Issuers. An
authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each
reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes
authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same right as an
Agent to deal with the Issuers or an Affiliate of either Issuer.
Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office
or agency located in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New
York where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent") and an office or
agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes
and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the
Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Registrar shall provide the
Issuers a current copy of such register from time to time upon request of the
Issuers. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more
additional paying agents. None of the Issuers nor any Affiliate of the Issuers
may act as Paying Agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or
co-registrar without notice to any Noteholder.
The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall
implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The
Issuers shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If
the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or agent for service
of notices and demands, or fail to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall
act as such. The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar, Paying
Agent and agent for service of notices and demands in connection with the Notes.
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of
the Holders or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for the payment
of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Notes (whether such assets have
been distributed to it by the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes), and
shall notify the Trustee in writing of any Default in making any such payment.
The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all assets held
by it to the Trustee and account for any assets disbursed and the Trustee may at
any time during the continuance of any payment Default, upon written request to
a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to forthwith distribute to the Trustee
all assets so held in trust by such Paying Agent together with a complete
accounting of such sums. Upon doing so, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for such assets.
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Section 2.05. Noteholder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Noteholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to
the Trustee on or before May 1 and November 1 in each year, and at such other
times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such
date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of
Noteholders.
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.
When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register
the transfer thereof, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if
the requirements of applicable law are met and, when Notes are presented to the
Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes
of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as
requested; provided that every Note presented or surrendered for registration of
transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Registrar
duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
To permit transfers and exchanges, upon surrender of any Note for registration
of transfer at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 2.03 hereof,
the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the
Registrar's request. Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except
that the Issuers may require payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a
transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange
pursuant to Section 2.09, 3.06 or 8.05 hereof. The Trustee shall not be required
to register transfers of Notes or to exchange Notes for a period of 15 days
before selection of any Notes to be redeemed. The Trustee shall not be required
to exchange or register transfers of any Notes called or being called for
redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being
redeemed in part.
Any Holder of the Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global
Note, agree that transfers of the beneficial interests in such Global Note may
be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Depository of
such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in
the Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.
If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if the Holder
presents evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuers and the Trustee that the
Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and
the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note. An indemnity bond may be
required by the Issuers or the Trustee that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Issuers and the Trustee to protect the Issuers, the Trustee or any Agent
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from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. In every case
of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuers
and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
the theft of such Note and the ownership thereof. Each of the Issuers and the
Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note. Every replacement Note
is an additional obligation of the Issuers. In the event any such mutilated,
lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become due and payable, the Issuers
in their discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in
replacement thereof. The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to
replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.
Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the
Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be
outstanding until the Issuers and the Trustee receive proof satisfactory to each
of them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If a Paying Agent holds on a Redemption Date or Maturity Date money
sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on
Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes cease to be
outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
Subject to Section 11.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding
solely because the Issuers or any Affiliate of an Issuer hold the Note.
Section 2.09. Temporary Notes.
Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare
and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be
substantially in the form, and shall carry all rights, of definitive Notes but
may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes.
Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall
authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes presented to it.
Section 2.10. Cancellation.
The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee
any Notes surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee
shall cancel and retain or, upon written request of
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the Issuers, may destroy or return to the Issuers in accordance with its normal
practice, all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation
and if such Notes are destroyed, deliver a certificate of destruction to the
Issuers. Subject to Section 2.07 hereof, the Issuers may not issue new Notes to
replace Notes in respect of which they have previously paid all principal,
premium and interest accrued thereon, or delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
Section 2.11. Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they
shall pay the defaulted amounts, plus any interest payable on defaulted amounts
pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof, to the persons who are Noteholders on a
subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix the special record date
and payment date in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee and provide the Trustee
at least 20 days notice of the proposed amount of defaulted interest to be paid
and the special payment date. At least 15 days before the special record date,
the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Noteholder at its address
as it appears on the Notes register maintained by the Registrar a notice that
states the special record date, the payment date (which shall be not less than
five nor more than ten days after the special record date), and the amount to be
paid. In lieu of the foregoing procedures, the Issuers may pay defaulted
interest in any other lawful manner satisfactory to the Trustee.
Section 2.12. Deposit of Moneys.
Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Interest Payment
Date, Redemption Date and Maturity Date, the Issuers shall have deposited with
the Paying Agent in immediately available funds U.S. legal tender sufficient to
make payments, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or
Maturity Date, as the case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Trustee
to remit payment to the Holders on such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date
or Maturity Date, as the case may be. The principal and interest on Global Notes
shall be payable to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
sole registered owner and the sole holder of the Global Notes represented
thereby. The principal and interest on Notes in certificated form shall be
payable at the office of the Paying Agent.
Section 2.13. CUSIP Number.
The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use one or more "CUSIP" numbers,
and if so, the Trustee shall use such CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption or
exchange as a convenience to Holders, provided that any such notice may state
that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP
numbers printed in the notice or on the Notes, and that reliance may be placed
only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.
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Section 2.14. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.
(a) The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of
the Depository or the nominee of such Depository and (ii) bear legends as set
forth in Exhibit B.
Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on
their behalf by the Depository or under the Global Note, and the Depository may
be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the
Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the
Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any
written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository
or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of
customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder.
(b) Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be
transferred or exchanged for Certificated Notes in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.15. In addition,
Certificated Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for
their beneficial interests in Global Notes if (i) the Depository (x) notifies
the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for any
Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing company registered under the
Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the
Issuers within 90 days of such notice, (ii) the Issuers, at their option, notify
the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of Certificated
Notes, or (iii) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
and the Registrar has received a written request from the Depository to issue
Certificated Notes.
(c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the
beneficial interest in any Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to
paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more Certificated Notes are to be
issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the
principal amount of the Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount
of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Issuers
shall execute, and the Trustee shall upon receipt of a written order from the
Issuers authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Certificated
Notes of like tenor and amount.
(d) In connection with the transfer of Global Notes as an entirety to
beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Global Notes shall be deemed to
be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall execute,
and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an authentication order from the Issuers
in the form of an Officers' Certificate, authenticate and deliver, to each
beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its
beneficial interest in the Global Notes, an equal aggregate principal amount of
Certificated Notes of authorized denominations.
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(e) Any Certificated Note constituting a Restricted Security delivered
in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to paragraph (b), (c) or
(d) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.15, bear the Private
Placement Legend.
(f) The Holder of any Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise
authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold
interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled
to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
Section 2.15. Registration of Transfers and Exchanges.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Notes. When Certificated
Notes are presented to the Registrar or co-Registrar with a request:
(i) to register the transfer of the Certificated Notes; or
(ii) to exchange such Certificated Notes for an equal principal amount
of Certificated Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar or co-Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange
as requested if the requirements under this Indenture as set forth in this
Section 2.15 for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the
Certificated Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange:
(I) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly
executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing;
and
(II) in the case of Certificated Notes the offer and sale of which
have not been registered under the Securities Act and are presented for
transfer or exchange prior to (x) the date which is two years after the
later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either
Issuer or any Affiliate of an Issuer was the owner of such Note, or any
predecessor thereto and (y) such later date, if any, as may be required by
any subsequent change in applicable law (the "Resale Restriction
Termination Date"), such Certificated Notes shall be accompanied, in the
sole discretion of the Issuers, by the following additional information and
documents, as applicable:
(A) if such Certificated Note is being delivered to the Registrar
or co-Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such
Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that
effect (substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto); or
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(B) if such Certificated Note is being transferred to a Qualified
Institutional Buyer in accordance with Rule 144A, a certification to
that effect (substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto); or
(C) if such Certificated Note is being transferred in reliance on
Regulation S, delivery of a certification to that effect
(substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto) and a transferor
certificate for Regulation S transfers substantially in the form of
Exhibit D-1 hereto; or
(D) if such Certificated Note is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor, delivery of certification
substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, a certificate of the
transferee in substantially the form of Exhibit D-2 and an Opinion of
Counsel and/or other information reasonably satisfactory to the
Issuers to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the
Securities Act; or
(E) if such Certificated Note is being transferred in reliance on
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, delivery of a certification to that
effect substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto; or
(F) if such Certificated Note is being transferred in reliance on
another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act, a certification to that effect (substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto) and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to
the Issuers to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the
Securities Act.
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Certificated Note for a Beneficial
Interest in a Global Note. A Certificated Note may not be exchanged for a
beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction of the
requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Registrar or co-Registrar of a
Certificated Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of
transfer, in form satisfactory to the Registrar or co-Registrar, together with:
(A) in the case of Certificated Notes, the offer and sale of which
have not been registered under the Securities Act and which are presented
for transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date,
certification, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, that such
Certificated Note is being transferred (I) to a Qualified Institutional
Buyer or (II) in an offshore transaction in reliance on Regulation S (and
in the case of this clause II, the Issuers shall have received a transferor
certificate for Regulation S transfers substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-1 hereto); and
(B) written instructions from the Holder thereof directing the
Registrar or co-Registrar to make, or to direct the Depository to make, an
endorsement on the ap-
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plicable Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note,
then the Registrar or co-Registrar shall cancel such Certificated Note and
cause, or direct the Depository to cause, in accordance with the standing
instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Registrar or
co-Registrar, the principal amount of Notes represented by the applicable Global
Note to be increased accordingly. If no Global Note representing Notes held by
Qualified Institutional Buyers or Persons acquiring Notes in offshore
transactions in reliance on Regulation S, as the case may be, is then
outstanding, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an
authentication order in the form of an Officers' Certificate in accordance with
Section 2.02, authenticate such a Global Note in the appropriate principal
amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. The transfer and exchange
of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the
Depository in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on
transfer set forth herein) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. Upon
receipt by the Registrar or co-Registrar of written instructions, or such other
instruction as is customary for the Depository, from the Depository or its
nominee, requesting the registration of transfer of an interest in a U.S. Global
Note or Regulation S Global Note, as the case may be, to another type of Global
Note, together with the applicable Global Notes (or, if the applicable type of
Global Note required to represent the interest as requested to be transferred is
not then outstanding, only the Global Note representing the interest being
transferred), the Registrar or Co-Registrar shall cancel such Global Notes (or
Global Note) and the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of
an authentication order in the form of an Officers' Certificate in accordance
with Section 2.02, authenticate new Global Notes of the types so cancelled (or
the type so cancelled and applicable type required to represent the interest as
requested to be transferred) reflecting the applicable increase and decrease of
the principal amount of Notes represented by such types of Global Notes, giving
effect to such transfer. If the applicable type of Global Note required to
represent the interest as requested to be transferred is not outstanding at the
time of such request, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall, upon
written instructions from the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.02,
authenticate a new Global Note of such type in principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the interest requested to be transferred.
(d) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note for a
Certificated Note. (i) Any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global Note
may upon request exchange such beneficial interest for a Certificated Note. Upon
receipt by the Registrar or co-Registrar of written instructions, or such other
form of instructions as is customary for the Depository, from the Depository or
its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in a Global
Note and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written order or such other form of
instructions as is customary for the Depository or the Person designated by the
Depository as having such a beneficial interest containing registration
instructions and, in the case of any
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such transfer or exchange of a beneficial interest in Notes the offer and sale
of which have not been registered under the Securities Act and which Notes are
presented for transfer or exchange prior to the Resale Restriction Termination
Date, the following additional information and documents: if such beneficial
interest is being transferred to the Person designated by the Depository as
being the beneficial owner, a certification from such Person to that effect
(substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto); or
(A) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Person
designated by the Depositary as being the beneficial owner, a certification
to that effect (substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto); or
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Qualified
Institutional Buyer in accordance with Rule l44A, a certification to that
effect (substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto); or
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred in reliance on
Regulation S, delivery of a certification to that effect (substantially in
the form of Exhibit C hereto) and a transferor certificate for Regulation S
transfers substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 hereto; or
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor, delivery of certification substantially
in the form of Exhibit C hereto, a certificate of the transferee in
substantially the form of Exhibit D-2 and an Opinion of Counsel and/or
other information reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers to the effect that
such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act; or
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred in reliance on
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, delivery of a certification to that
effect substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto; or
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred in reliance on
another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
a certification to that effect (substantially in the form of Exhibit C
hereto) and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers to
the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act,
then the Registrar or co-Registrar will cause, in accordance with the standing
instructions and procedures existing between the Depository and the Registrar or
co-Registrar, the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be
reduced and, following such reduction, the Issuers will execute and, upon
receipt of an authentication order in the form of an Officers' Certificate in
accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the
transferee a Certificated Note in the appropriate principal amount.
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(ii) Certificated Notes issued in exchange for a beneficial interest
in a Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.15(d) shall be registered in such
names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository, pursuant to
instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall
instruct the Registrar or co-Registrar in writing. The Registrar or co-Registrar
shall deliver such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such
Certificated Notes are so registered.
(e) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, a Global Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository
or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the
Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or
a nominee of such successor Depository.
(f) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or
replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend (including the
Exchange Notes), the Registrar or co-Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not
bear the Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of
Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Registrar or co-Registrar shall
deliver only Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend unless, and the
Trustee is hereby authorized to deliver Notes without the Private Placement
Legend if, (i) the Resale Restriction Termination Date shall have occurred, (ii)
there is delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Issuers and the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the
related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance
with the provisions of the Securities Act or (iii) such Note has been sold
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act
(including the Exchange Notes). Transfers of Notes not bearing the Private
Placement Legend shall not be subject to the certificate delivery or opinion
delivery requirements and restrictions set forth in Sections 2.15(a)(II),
2.15(b)(A) and 2.15(d)(A)-(F) above.
(g) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on
transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement
Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this
Indenture.
The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other
written communications received pursuant to Section 2.14 or this Section 2.15.
The Issuers shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters,
notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving
of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.
Section 2.16. Joint and Several Liability.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuers shall be
jointly and severally liable for the performance of all obligations and
covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.
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ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.
If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof,
at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date or during such other period as the
Trustee may agree to, the Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the redemption
price, and deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
redemption will comply with the conditions contained in Section 3.07 hereof, as
appropriate.
Section 3.02. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed.
In the event that less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any
time, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange,
if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not listed on a
national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as
the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate; provided, that no Notes of $1,000
principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee may select for
redemption portions of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger
than $1,000. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of the Notes selected
for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption,
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture
unless the context otherwise requires, provisions of this Indenture that apply
to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for
redemption.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30
but not more than 60 calendar days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of
Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in
part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the
portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including the
CUSIP number(s) thereof) and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
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(2) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest, if any,
to be paid;
(3) that, if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
principal amount at maturity (equal to $1,000 in principal amount or any
integral multiple thereof) of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and
after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes
in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued;
(4) the name, address and telephone number of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
Agent at the address specified to collect the redemption price plus accrued
interest, if any;
(6) that, unless the Issuers default in making the redemption payment,
interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
Redemption Date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive
payment of the redemption price plus accrued interest to the Redemption
Date upon surrender of the Notes to the Paying Agent;
(7) the paragraph of Section 3.07 hereof pursuant to which the Notes
called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(8) the aggregate principal amount of Notes that is being redeemed.
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.03 is mailed,
Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at
the redemption price, including any premium, plus accrued interest to the
Redemption Date, if any. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be
paid at the redemption price, including any premium, plus accrued interest to
the Redemption Date, if any, provided that if the Redemption Date is after a
regular interest payment record date and on or prior to the Interest Payment
Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Notes
registered on the relevant record date.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
On or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on each Redemption
Date, the Issuers shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately
available funds U.S. legal tender sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that date.
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On and after any Redemption Date, if U.S. legal tender sufficient to
pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on Notes called for redemption
shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the
Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of
the Holders of such Notes will be to receive payment of the redemption price of
and, subject to the first proviso in Section 3.04, accrued and unpaid interest
on such Notes to the Redemption Date. If any Note called for redemption shall
not be so paid, interest will continue to accrue and be paid, from the
Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal
of the Note and any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at
the rate and in the manner provided in the Notes.
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall
authenticate for a Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed
portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.
(a) The Issuers may redeem the Notes that are redeemable at their
option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time on or after February
15, 2006 at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount thereof), set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on
February 15 of each year indicated below:
Year Percentage
- ---- ----------
2006............................................................... 105.000%
2007............................................................... 102.500%
2008 and thereafter................................................ 100.000%
(b) The Issuers may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture, at any time and from time
to time prior to February 15, 2006, at a redemption price equal to 110% of the
aggregate principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the Redemption Date out of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity
Offerings; provided, that at least 65% of the principal amount of the Notes
originally issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any
such redemption (it being expressly agreed that for purposes of determining
whether this condition is satisfied, Notes owned by the Issuers or any of its
Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding). In order to effect the
foregoing redemption with the proceeds of any Equity Offering, the Issuers shall
make such redemption not more than 60 days following the closing of any such
Equity Offering.
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ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Issuers shall pay the principal of and interest (including all
Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) as
provided in the Registration Rights Agreement on the Notes on the dates and in
the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. An installment of principal
or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or
Paying Agent holds, for the benefit of the Holders, on that date U.S. legal
tender designated for and sufficient to pay such installment.
The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal (including
post-petition interest in a proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law), and interest
on overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Notes.
Section 4.02. Provision of Financial Statements and Other Information.
(a) Commencing with the first fiscal quarter of the Company ending
after the Issue Date, the Issuers will file with the Commission all information,
documents and reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and will provide the Trustee and the
Noteholders with copies of all such information, documents and reports within 15
days of filing thereof with the Commission; provided that if the Issuers are not
required to file such information, documents or reports with the Commission,
they will nonetheless continue to furnish such information, documents and
reports required to be filed by issuers subject to the reporting requirements of
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to the Trustee and the Noteholders
within 15 days of the date on which filing with the Commission would have been
required. The Issuers shall also comply with the provisions of TIA (S) 314(a).
The Trustee shall retain such reports, information and documents at its
Corporate Trust Office and permit any Noteholder to examine such material upon
prior written request at reasonable times. Except to determine whether the
Issuers have complied with the provisions of this Section 4.02, the Trustee
shall not be required to examine or review such material or any of it and shall
not be considered to have had notice, constructive or otherwise, from anything
set forth in such material of any Default or other fact or event which might
require the Trustee to take any action or give any notice hereunder.
(b) The Issuers will, upon request, provide to any Holder or any
prospective transferee of any such Holder any information concerning the Issuers
(including financial statements) necessary in order to permit such Holder to
sell or transfer Notes in compliance with Rule 144 and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act.
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Section 4.03. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
The Issuers covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that
they will not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or
in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law or any usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the
Issuers from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any,
and/or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at
any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so)
the Issuers hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and
covenant that they will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power
herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every
such power as though no such law had been enacted.
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate; Notice of Default; Tax Information.
(a) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after
the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate (one of the signers of
which shall be the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or
principal accounting officer of each Issuer) stating that a review of the
activities of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries during such fiscal year has
been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to
determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled
their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such
Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the
Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant
contained in this Indenture and, in the case of Restricted Payments, listing all
Restricted Payments for such quarter, and are not in default in the performance
or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all or such Defaults
or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action each
is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his
or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of
which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes
are prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and
what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
(b) The Issuers will, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding,
deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default
or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event
of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with
respect thereto.
(c) The annual financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.02
shall be accompanied by a written report of the Issuers' independent accountants
(who shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in conducting
their audit of such financial statements nothing has come to their attention
that would lead them to believe that either Issuer
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has violated any material provisions of Article 4, 5 or 6 of this Indenture
insofar as they relate to accounting matters or, if any such violation has
occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being
understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to
any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.
(d) The Issuers shall calculate and deliver to the Trustee all
original issue discount information to be reported by the Trustee to Holders as
required by law.
Section 4.05. Taxes.
The Issuers shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to, pay
prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies
except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
Section 4.06. Limitation on Additional Indebtedness.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, incur (as defined) any Indebtedness
(including Acquired Indebtedness); provided that if no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of
the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Issuers and any of the Guarantors may
incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) if after giving effect to
the incurrence of such Indebtedness and the receipt and application of the
proceeds thereof, the Company's Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 6.0 to
1.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 4.06(a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Permitted Indebtedness.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.06, in
the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than
one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness as of the date of incurrence
thereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.06(a) as of the date
of incurrence thereof, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify or
reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this
Section 4.06.
(d) Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the
payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to
be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant and the payment
of dividends on Disqualified Capital Stock in the form of additional shares of
the same class of Disqualified Capital Stock will not be deemed an issuance of
Disqualified Capital Stock.
(e) The Company will not, and will not permit any of the Guarantors
to, directly or indirectly, incur, contingently or otherwise, any Indebtedness
that is subordinated to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of the
Guarantors, as the case may be, unless
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such Indebtedness is by its terms made expressly subordinated to the Notes or
the Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the same extent and in
the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to such other Indebtedness
of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Section 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company will not make, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make, any Restricted
Payment, unless:
(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such
Restricted Payment;
(2) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted
Payment, the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other
than Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 4.06 of this Indenture; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
aggregate of all Restricted Payments declared or made after the Issue Date
does not exceed the sum of
(a) 100% of the Company's Cumulative EBITDA (or, in the event
that such Cumulative EBITDA is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit)
minus 1.4 times the Company's Cumulative Consolidated Interest
Expense,
(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the
Company from the issue or sale after the Issue Date of Capital Stock
(other than Disqualified Capital Stock or Capital Stock of the Company
issued to any Subsidiary of the Company) of the Company or any
Indebtedness or other securities of the Company convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified
Capital Stock) of the Company which have been so converted, exercised
or exchanged, as the case may be,
(c) without duplication of any amounts included in clause (3)(b)
above, 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the fair market
value of Property other than cash) received by the Company after the
Issue Date from any equity contribution from a holder of the Company's
Capital Stock, excluding, in the case of clause (3)(b) and this clause
(3)(c), any net proceeds from an Equity Offering to the extent used to
redeem the Notes,
(d) without duplication, the sum of
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(i) the aggregate amount returned in cash on or with respect
to Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made subsequent
to the Issue Date whether through interest payments, principal
payments, dividends or other distributions;
(ii) the net proceeds received by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries from the disposition, retirement or
redemption of all or any portion of such Investments (other than
to a Subsidiary of the Company); and
(iii) upon redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of the net assets of
such Subsidiary;
provided, however, that the sum of the items described in clauses
(d)(i), (ii) and (iii) above shall not exceed the aggregate amount of
all such Investments made subsequent to the Issue Date, and
(e) $10.0 million.
For purposes of determining under clause (3) above the amount expended
for Restricted Payments, cash distributed shall be valued at the face amount
thereof and Property other than cash shall be valued at its fair market value.
(b) The provisions of this Section 4.07 shall not prohibit
(1) the payment of any distribution within 60 days after the date of
declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration such payment would
comply with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement of any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or of Subordinated
Indebtedness by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, shares of
Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), or
out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other
than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other shares of Capital Stock of
the Company (other than Disqualified Capital Stock);
(3) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or other
acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, by conversion
into, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale or
incurrence of, Indebtedness of the Company (other than any Indebtedness
owed to a Subsidiary) that is Refinancing Indebtedness;
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(4) the retirement of any shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the
Company by conversion into, or by exchange for, shares of Disqualified
Capital Stock of the Company, or out of the net cash proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company)
of other shares of Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company;
(5) the payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent
necessary to permit direct or indirect beneficial owners of shares of
Capital Stock of the Company to pay federal, state or local income tax
liabilities arising from income of the Company and attributable to them
solely as a result of the Company (and any intermediate entity through
which the holder owns such shares) being a limited liability company,
partnership or similar entity for federal income tax purposes;
(6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Capital Stock of the Company or the payment of a dividend to
Holdings to effect the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of Holdings' Capital Stock that is held by any current
or former members of the management of the Company (or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) pursuant to any management equity subscription or
purchase agreement, members agreement, securityholders agreement or stock
option agreement or similar agreement, in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$2.0 million in any fiscal year (which amount shall be increased by the
amount of any proceeds to the Company from (x) without duplication of any
amounts included in clauses 3(b) and (c) of subsection (a) above, sales of
Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company or
Holdings (which net proceeds have been contributed by the Company) to
management or other employees subsequent to the Issue Date and (y) any
"key-man" life insurance policies which are used to make such redemptions
or repurchases); provided that the cancellation of Indebtedness owing to
the Company from management or other employees of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Capital Stock of
the Company will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment under
this Indenture;
(7) the making of distributions, loans or advances in an amount not to
exceed $1.0 million in any calendar year sufficient to permit Holdings to
pay the ordinary operating expenses of Holdings (including, without
limitation, directors' fees, indemnification obligations, professional fees
and expenses) relating to Holdings' ownership of Capital Stock of the
Company;
(8) payments or distributions to Holdings on and after September 15,
2004 in an amount sufficient to permit Holdings to make cash interest
payments when due to holders of the Senior Discount Notes in accordance
with the terms of the Senior Discount Notes as in effect on the Issue Date;
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(9) Investments received in connection with an Asset Sale that
complies with Section 4.08 of this Indenture;
(10) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to
transactions permitted under the terms of this Indenture;
(11) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of
stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise
price thereof;
(12) payments to enable the Company or Holdings to make payments to
holders of their Capital Stock in lieu of issuance of fractional shares of
their Capital Stock;
(13) payment of principal and interest on funds on the ABRY
Subordinated Debt in accordance with the terms thereof;
(14) any dividend or distribution made so long as concurrently
therewith a capital contribution in an equal amount is made to the Company;
(15) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$15.0 million;
(16) in addition to clause (3) above, the repurchase, redemption,
defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of the Existing Notes in
exchange for, by conversion into, or out of the net cash proceeds of a
substantially concurrent sale or incurrence of, Indebtedness of the
Company, other than any Indebtedness owed to a Subsidiary, provided that
after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the incurrence of such
Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the
Consolidated Senior Leverage of the Company would have been less than 2.75
to 1; and
(17) payments or distributions to Holdings of up to $13.0 million from
the proceeds of the Notes issued on the Issue Date, for the purpose of
repurchasing Holdings' 13% Senior Discount Notes due 2010.
In calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made
subsequent to the Issue Date for purposes of clause (3) of subsection (a) above,
amounts expended pursuant to clauses (1), (2), (8) and (14) of the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be included in such calculation.
(c) Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the
Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the
calculations required by this Section 4.07 were computed, which calculations may
be based upon the Issuers' latest available financial
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statements, and (other than with respect to any Restricted Payment permitted
under clauses (5), (6) and (7)) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing and no Default or Event of Default will occur immediately
after giving effect to any such Restricted Payments.
Section 4.08. Limitation on Certain Asset Sales.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
receives consideration at the time of such sale or other disposition at
least equal to the fair market value of the assets sold or otherwise
disposed of (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, and evidenced by a Board Resolution);
(2) not less than 75% of the consideration received by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents and/or a controlling interest in a Person whose assets are
useful to the Company, or any combination thereof, except to the extent to
which the Company is undertaking a Permitted Asset Swap; provided that the
amount of
(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted
Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that
are assumed by the transferee of any such assets shall be deemed to be
cash for purposes of this clause (2); and
(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that
are promptly converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
into cash (to the extent of the cash received), shall be deemed to be
cash for purposes of this clause (2); and
(3) the Asset Sale Proceeds received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary are applied
(a) first, to the extent the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, elects, or is required, to prepay or
repay any Indebtedness under any Senior Credit Facility within 360
days following the receipt of the Asset Sale Proceeds from any Asset
Sale; provided that any such repayment must result in a permanent
reduction of the commitments thereunder in an amount equal to the
principal amount so repaid;
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(b) second, to the extent of the balance of Asset Sale Proceeds
after application as described above, to the extent the Company
elects, to an investment in assets (including Capital Stock or other
securities purchased in connection with the acquisition of Capital
Stock or Property of another Person) used or useful in businesses
reasonably related, ancillary or complementary to the business of the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary as conducted on the Issue
Date; provided that such investment occurs within 360 days following
receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds; and
(c) third, if on such 360th day with respect to any Asset Sale,
the Available Asset Sale Proceeds exceed $10 million, the Company
shall apply an amount equal to the Available Asset Sale Proceeds to an
offer to repurchase the Notes and all other Indebtedness of the
Company ranking equal in seniority containing provisions substantially
similar to those set forth in this Indenture regarding offers to
purchase or redeem with Asset Sale Proceeds, in each case, at a
purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to the purchase date (an
"Excess Proceeds Offer").
If an Excess Proceeds Offer is not fully subscribed, the Company may
retain the portion of the Available Asset Sale Proceeds not required to
repurchase Notes and such Indebtedness ranking equal in seniority.
Pending the final application of any Asset Sale Proceeds, the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a
revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Asset Sale Proceeds
in Cash Equivalents.
(b) If the Company is required to make an Excess Proceeds Offer, the
Company shall within 45 days following the date specified in subparagraph
(a)(3)(c) above (i) cause a notice of the Excess Proceeds Offer to be sent at
least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the
United States and (ii) mail a notice of the Excess Proceeds Offer to the Trustee
and the Holders. Such notice shall be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to the Trustee and to each Noteholder, at the address appearing in the register
maintained by the Registrar of the Notes, and shall state:
(i) that the Excess Proceeds Offer is being made pursuant to this
Section 4.08;
(ii) that such Holders have the right to require the Company to
apply the Available Asset Sale Proceeds to repurchase such Notes at a
purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the purchase date which
shall be no
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earlier than 45 days and not later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed (the "Excess Proceeds Payment Date");
(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will
continue to accrue interest;
(iv) that any Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Excess
Proceeds Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Excess
Proceeds Payment Date;
(v) that Holders accepting the offer to have their Notes
purchased pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer will be required to
surrender the Notes, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect
Purchase" on the reverse of the Note completed, to the Paying Agent at
the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on
the Business Day preceding the Excess Proceeds Payment Date;
(vi) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their acceptance
of the Excess Proceeds Offer if the Paying Agent receives, not later
than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the
Excess Proceeds Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the
Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Notes purchased;
(vii) that if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered
by Holders exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, Company shall select
the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments
as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in
denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof, shall be
purchased);
(viii) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part
will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased
portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that each Note purchased
and each such new Note issued shall be in an original principal amount
in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;
(ix) the calculations used in determining the amount of Available
Asset Sale Proceeds to be applied to the purchase of such Notes;
(x) any other procedures that a Holder must follow to accept an
Excess Proceeds Offer or effect withdrawal of such acceptance; and
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(xi) the name and address of the Paying Agent.
On the Excess Proceeds Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent
lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary,
Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Excess Proceeds
Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase
price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be purchased or
portions thereof, (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee Notes so
accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or
portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuers in accordance with the
terms of this Section 4.08. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder
so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price for such Notes, and
the Issuers shall execute and issue, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate
and make available for delivery to such Holder, a new Note equal in principal
amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each
such new Note shall be issued in an original principal amount in denominations
of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The Issuers will publicly announce the
results of the Excess Proceeds Offer on the Excess Proceeds Payment Date.
(c) In the event of the transfer of substantially all of the Property
and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a
Person in a transaction permitted under Section 5.01 of this Indenture below but
which transaction does not constitute a Change of Control, the successor Person
shall be deemed to have sold the properties and assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries not so transferred for purposes of this covenant, and
must comply with the provisions of this Section 4.08 with respect to such deemed
sale as if it were an Asset Sale.
(d) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section
4.08, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this
Section 4.08 by virtue thereof.
Section 4.09. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to exist any
transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation,
the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, Property or services) with any
Affiliate (each an "Affiliate Transaction") or extend, renew, waive or otherwise
modify the terms of any Affiliate Transaction entered into prior to the Issue
Date unless
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(1) such Affiliate Transaction is between or among the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(2) the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are at least as favorable
as the terms which could be obtained by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, in a comparable transaction made on an
arm's-length basis between unaffiliated parties.
In any Affiliate Transaction (or any series of related Affiliate
Transactions which are similar or part of a common plan) involving an amount or
having a fair market value in excess of $2.5 million which is not permitted
under clause (1) above, the Company must obtain a Board Resolution of the
Company certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (2)
above. In any Affiliate Transaction (or any series of related Affiliate
Transactions which are similar or part of a common plan) involving an amount or
having a fair market value in excess of $10.0 million which is not permitted
under clause (1) above, the Company must obtain a favorable written opinion as
to the fairness of such transaction or transactions, as the case may be, from an
Independent Financial Advisor.
(b) The foregoing provisions will not apply to
(1) any Restricted Payment that is not prohibited by the provisions
described under Section 4.07 of this Indenture;
(2) reasonable fees and compensation paid to, and indemnity provided
on behalf of, officers, Directors, employees or consultants of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as determined in good faith by
the Company's Board of Directors or senior management;
(3) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment
thereto or any transaction contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any
amendment thereto) in any replacement agreement thereto so long as any such
amendment or replacement agreement is not more disadvantageous to the
Holders in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on
the Issue Date;
(4) transactions effected as part of a Qualified Securitization
Transaction,
(5) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, and advances to
employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts
and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;
(6) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any
securityholders agree-
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ment (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement
related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any
similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however,
that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under, any future amendment to any
such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after
the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (6) to the extent
that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise
disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect;
(7) transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions
described under Article 5 of this Indenture below;
(8) payments of principal and interest on the ABRY Subordinated Debt
in accordance with the terms thereof;
(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, joint venture
partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the
ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, pursuant to
joint venture agreements) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of
this Indenture which are fair to the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of
the Company or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as
favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an
unaffiliated party;
(10) transactions pursuant to the ABRY Management Agreement or
pursuant to the terms of any amendment thereto or restatement thereof which
terms are not more disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect
than the terms of such agreement as in effect on the Issue Date as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and
evidenced by a Board Resolution; and
(11) with regard to the requirement to obtain the opinion of an
Independent Financial Advisor only, the issuance of Capital Stock of the
Company; provided that said issuance has been approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company and the Board Resolution described in the
immediately preceding paragraph has been delivered to the Trustee.
Section 4.10. Limitations on Liens.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) upon any Property
or asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any shares of
Capital Stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which
owns Property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless
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(1) if such Lien secures Subordinated Indebtedness, any such Lien
shall be subordinated to any Lien granted to the Holders to the same extent
as such Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes and
(2) in all other cases, the Notes are equally and ratably secured.
Section 4.11. Limitations on Investments.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any Investment other than
(1) a Permitted Investment; or
(2) an Investment that is made after the Issue Date as a Restricted
Payment in compliance with Section 4.07.
Section 4.12. Limitation on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction unless
(1) the consideration received in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction
is at least equal to the fair market value of the Property sold, as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and
evidenced by a Board Resolution,
(2) the Company could incur the Attributable Indebtedness in respect
of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction in compliance with Section 4.06 and
(3) the transfer of assets in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction is
permitted by, and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the
proceeds of such transaction in compliance with Section 4.08.
Section 4.13. Payments for Consent.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by
way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any
consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture
or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be
paid to all Holders which so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame
set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or
agreement.
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Section 4.14. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, each of the Issuers shall do or cause to
be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i)
its corporate or limited liability company existence, and the corporate,
partnership or limited liability company or other existence of each Subsidiary,
in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be
amended from time to time) of each Subsidiary and, within thirty days of the
Issue Date, the material rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises
of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries except where the failure to preserve and
keep in full force and effect any such rights, licenses and franchise shall not
have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, operations
or prospects of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and
provided that the Issuers shall not be required to preserve any such right,
license or franchise, or the corporate, limited liability company, partnership
or other existence of any of Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the
applicable Issuer shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material
respect to the Holders.
Section 4.15. Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuers shall be
obligated to make an offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer") each
Holder's outstanding Notes at a purchase price (the "Change of Control Purchase
Price") equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued but unpaid
interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Change of Control Payment Date (as
defined) in accordance with the procedures set forth below.
(b) Within 20 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the
Issuers shall (i) cause a notice of the Change of Control Offer to be sent at
least once to the Dow Jones News Service or similar business news service in the
United States and (ii) send by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee
and to each Noteholder, at the address appearing in the register maintained by
the Registrar of the Notes, a notice stating:
(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this
covenant and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;
(2) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date (which
shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from
the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"));
(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
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(4) that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of
Control Purchase Price, any Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the
Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of
Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders accepting the offer to have their Notes purchased
pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the
Notes to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to
the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Change of Control
Payment Date;
(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their acceptance if the
Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third
Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for purchase, and a
statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Notes
purchased;
(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be
issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
the Notes surrendered;
(8) any other procedures that a Holder must follow to accept a Change
of Control Offer or effect withdrawal of such acceptance; and
(9) the name and address of the Paying Agent.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the
extent lawful,
(1) accept for payment Notes or portions thereof properly tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase
price of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered, and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so
accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the Notes or
portions thereof tendered to the Issuers.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder so accepted payment in an
amount equal to the purchase price for such Notes, and the Issuers shall execute
and issue, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holder,
a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes
surrendered; provided that each such new Note shall be issued in an original
principal amount in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
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(c) If the Senior Credit Facility is in effect, or any amounts are
owing thereunder or in respect thereof, at the time of the occurrence of a
Change of Control, prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders described in
Section 4.15(b) above, but in any event within 60 days following any Change of
Control, the Issuers covenant to
(1) repay in full all obligations and terminate all commitments under
or in respect of each Senior Credit Facility or offer to repay in full all
obligations and terminate all commitments under or in respect of each
Senior Credit Facility and repay the Indebtedness owed to each such lender
who has accepted such offer, or
(2) obtain the requisite consents, if any, under each Senior Credit
Facility to permit the repurchase of the Notes as described above.
The Issuers must first comply with the covenant described in the preceding
sentence before they shall be required to purchase Notes in the event of a
Change of Control; provided that the Issuers' failure to comply with the
covenant described in the preceding sentence constitutes an Event of Default
described in clause (c) under Section 6.01 if not cured within 30 days after the
notice required by such clause.
(d) The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section
4.15, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached their obligations under
this Section 4.15 by virtue thereof.
Section 4.16. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York where Notes may be surrendered for registration
of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and
demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be
served. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the
location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any
time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations,
surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the
Trustee as set forth in Section 11.02.
The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The
Issuers shall give prompt written no-
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tice to the Trustee of such designation or rescission and of any change in the
location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuers hereby initially designate the offices of U.S. Bank Trust
National Association at 100 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005 as such office
of the Issuers.
Section 4.17. Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to:
(1) (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
(i) on its Capital Stock, or
(ii) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or
measured by, its profits or
(b) repay any Indebtedness or any other obligation owed to the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(2) make loans or advances or capital contributions to the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries;
except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of
(1) encumbrances or restrictions existing on the Issue Date to the
extent and in the manner such encumbrances and restrictions are in effect
on the Issue Date,
(2) (a) this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees, (b) the Senior
Credit Facility, and (c) the Existing Notes Indenture, the Existing Notes
and the related guarantees, in the case of this clause (c) in accordance
with the terms thereof as in effect on the date of this Indenture;
(3) applicable law or applicable rules, regulations or orders;
(4) any instrument governing Acquired Indebtedness, which encumbrance
or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the Properties or assets
of any Person,
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other than the Person, or the Property or assets of the Person (including
any Subsidiary of the Person), so acquired;
(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases or other agreements
entered in the ordinary course of business;
(6) Refinancing Indebtedness as long as such restrictions are not
materially more restrictive, when taken as a whole, than those contained in
the agreements governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded;
(7) customary restrictions in security agreements or mortgages
securing Indebtedness of the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the Property subject to
such security agreements and mortgages;
(8) customary restrictions pursuant to an agreement that has been
entered into for the sale or disposition of Capital Stock or assets
permitted under this Indenture;
(9) restrictions on the transfer of assets subject to any Lien
permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien;
(10) any agreement or instrument governing Capital Stock of any Person
that is acquired as long as no such restriction is created in contemplation
of the acquisition of such Capital Stock;
(11) Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a
Securitization Entity in connection with a Qualified Securitization
Transaction as long as such restrictions apply only to such Securitization
Entity;
(12) Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred to acquire Property in the
ordinary course of business which Indebtedness imposes restrictions
regarding transfer of the Property acquired;
(13) the terms of any Indebtedness permitted by this Indenture to be
incurred by any Guarantor;
(14) any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness (whether or
not outstanding) of Foreign Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company incurred
in reliance on clauses (8) and (16) of the definition of Permitted
Indebtedness; or
(15) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by
customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
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Section 4.18. Limitation on Conduct of Business.
The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not engage in any
businesses which are not reasonably similar, ancillary, complementary or related
to the businesses in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are
engaged in on the Issue Date except to such extent as would not be material to
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.19. Compliance with Laws.
The Issuers shall comply, and shall cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders
and restrictions of the United States of America, all states and municipalities
thereof, and of any governmental department, commission, board, regulatory
authority, bureau, agency and instrumentality of the foregoing, in respect of
the conduct of their respective businesses and the ownership of their respective
properties, except for such noncompliances as would not in the aggregate have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
the Issuers and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 4.20. Limitation on Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
issue any Preferred Stock (except Preferred Stock issued to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) or permit any Person (other than the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to hold any such Preferred
Stock unless such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur or assume
Indebtedness under Section 4.06 (other than Permitted Indebtedness) in the
aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation value of the
Preferred Stock to be issued.
Section 4.21. Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries.
The Company will not create or acquire, and will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to create or acquire, any Subsidiary other than:
(1) a Restricted Subsidiary existing as of the Issue Date
(2) a Restricted Subsidiary that is acquired or created after the
Issue Date, provided, however, that each Restricted Subsidiary (other than
any Foreign Restricted Subsidiary or Finance Corp.) acquired or created
pursuant to this clause (2) shall have executed a Guarantee, satisfactory
in form and substance to the Trustee (and with such documentation relating
thereto as the Trustee shall require, including, without limitation a
supplement or amendment to this Indenture and Opinions of Counsel as to the
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enforceability of such Guarantee), pursuant to which such Restricted
Subsidiary will become a Guarantor, or
(3) an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Section 4.22. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.
(a) Each Issuer shall cause all material properties owned by or leased
by it or any of its Subsidiaries used or useful to the conduct of such Issuer's
business or the business of any of its Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in
normal condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary
equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in its judgment may
be necessary, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 4.22 shall prevent an Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries
from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties,
or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the
judgment of the Board of Directors of such Issuer or of the Board of Directors
of any Subsidiary of such Issuer concerned, or of an officer (or other agent
employed by such Issuer or of any of its Subsidiaries) of such Issuer or any of
its Subsidiaries having managerial responsibility for any such property,
desirable in the conduct of the business of such Issuer or any Subsidiary of
such Issuer, and if such discontinuance or disposal is not adverse in any
material respect to the Holders.
(b) The Issuers shall maintain, and shall cause their respective
Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance with responsible carriers against such risks
and in such amounts, and with such deductibles, retentions, self-insured amounts
and co-insurance provisions, as are customarily carried by similar businesses of
similar size, including property and casualty loss, workers' compensation and
interruption of business insurance. The Issuers shall provide, and shall cause
their respective Subsidiaries to provide, an Officers' Certificate as to
compliance with the foregoing requirements to the Trustee prior to the
anniversary or renewal date of each such policy, together with satisfactory
evidence of such insurance, which certificate shall expressly state such
expiration date for each policy listed.
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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
Section 5.01. Limitation on Consolidation Merger and Sale of Assets.
The Company will not consolidate with, merge with or into, or sell,
assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company (as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in
one transaction or a series of related transactions), to any Person unless:
(1) the Company shall be the continuing Person, or the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which the Properties and assets of the Company are
sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of
shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or a limited liability company
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company under
this Indenture and the Notes, and the obligations thereunder shall remain
in full force and effect; provided that if at any time the Company or such
successor Person is a limited liability company, partnership or trust there
shall be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company and that is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the United States or any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma
basis the Company or such Person could incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under Section 4.06;
provided that the Company may merge into any Guarantor without complying
with this clause (3).
In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer of assets
contemplated by this Section 5.01, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that
such consolidation, merger or transfer and the supplemental indenture in respect
thereto comply with this Section and that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied
with.
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For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment,
sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Company the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed
to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may merge or consolidate
with or transfer substantially all of its assets to an Affiliate that has no
significant assets or liabilities and was formed solely for the purpose of
changing the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or the form of
organization of the Company so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby and that the successor
assumes all obligations of the Company under this Indenture, the Notes and the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 5.02. Successor Person Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, merger, conveyance or any transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01
above, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named
as the Company herein, and thereafter the predecessor entity shall be relieved
of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
An "Event of Default" occurs if
(a) there is a default in the payment of any principal of, or premium,
if any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity,
upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(b) there is a default in the payment of any interest on any Note when
the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of
30 calendar days;
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(c) there is a default by either Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary
in the observance or performance of any other covenant in the Notes or this
Indenture for 30 calendar days after written notice from the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding (except in the case of a default with respect to Sections
4.15 or 5.01 which shall constitute an Event of Default with such notice
requirement but without such passage of time requirement);
(d) there is a failure to pay at final maturity (after giving effect
to any applicable grace period) any Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary thereof (other than a Securitization Entity), or the
acceleration of any such Indebtedness, which acceleration shall not be
rescinded or annulled within 20 days after written notice to the Company by
the Trustee or any Holder, if the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness,
together with the amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for
failure to pay or which has been accelerated, aggregates $5.0 million or
more at any time;
(e) any final judgment or judgments which can no longer be appealed
for the payment of money in excess of $5.0 million (excluding amounts
covered by insurance for which coverage is not being challenged or denied
unless the Company is contesting such challenge or denial in good faith)
shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof,
and shall not be discharged for any period of 60 consecutive calendar days
during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect;
(f) either Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within
the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all
or substantially all of its Property, or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
or
(E) generally is not able to pay its debts as they become due;
(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against either Issuer or any Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case,
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(B) appoints a Custodian of either Issuer or any Significant
Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the Property of either
Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary, or
(C) orders the liquidation of either Issuer or any Significant
Subsidiary,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; and
(h) any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full
force and effect or any Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary is declared
to be null and void and unenforceable or any Guarantee of a Significant
Subsidiary is found to be invalid or any of the Guarantors denies its
liability under its Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a
Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar
federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term "Custodian" means any
receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy
Law.
The Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of any Default (except
in payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes) if the
Trustee considers it to be in the best interest of the Holders to do so.
Section 6.02. Acceleration.
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type
described in Section 6.01(f) or (g)) shall have occurred and be continuing, then
the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding may declare to be immediately due and payable the
entire principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding plus accrued interest
to the date of acceleration and (1) the same shall become immediately due and
payable or (2) if there are any amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit
Facility, shall become immediately due and payable upon the first to occur of an
acceleration under the Senior Credit Facility or five Business Days after
receipt by the Issuers and the representative under the Senior Credit Facility
of a notice of acceleration; provided, however, that after such acceleration but
before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee,
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes
may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if
(1) all Events of Default, other than nonpayment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of the
acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture,
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(2) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on
overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become
due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid,
(3) the Issuers have paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and
reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances and
(4) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the
type described in Section 6.01(f) or (g) above, the Trustee shall have
received an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event
of Default has been cured or waived.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right
consequent thereto. In case an Event of Default of the type described in Section
6.01(f) or (g) above shall occur, the principal, premium and interest amount
with respect to all of the Notes shall be due and payable immediately without
any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Noteholders.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to
enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, the obligations set forth
in the Guarantees or this Indenture and may take any necessary action requested
of it as Trustee to settle, compromise, adjust or otherwise conclude any
proceedings to which it is a party.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Noteholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the
extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults and Events of Default.
Subject to Sections 6.02, 6.07 and 8.02 hereof, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have the right
to waive past Defaults under this Indenture except a Default in the payment of
the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any Note, which cannot be
waived without the consent of the Holder of such Notes or in respect of a
covenant or a provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent
of all Holders. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any
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Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every
purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or
other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
Section 6.05. Control by Majority.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture. The Trustee, however, may refuse to
follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the
Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Noteholder
not taking part in such direction, and the Trustee shall have the right to
decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel,
determines that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the
Trustee in good faith shall, by a Trust Officer, determine that the proceedings
so directed may involve it in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may
take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent
with such direction.
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
Subject to Section 6.07 below, no Holder has any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or any remedy thereunder unless:
(1) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;
(2) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense which
may be incurred in compliance with such request;
(3) the Trustee fails to institute such proceeding within 60 calendar
days after receipt of such notice and the offer of indemnity; and
(4) the Trustee has not received directions inconsistent with such
written request during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.
A Noteholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Noteholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Noteholder.
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Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of
any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or accrued
interest of any Note held by such Holder on or after the respective due dates
expressed in such Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment
on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not
be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or interest
specified in Section 6.01(a), (b) or (c) hereof occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust
against any or all of the Issuers and the Guarantors for the whole amount of
unpaid principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest
on overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate then
borne by the Notes, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the
costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or
documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Noteholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any
other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its Property and shall be
entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other Property
payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same after
deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and
expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings and any
custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Noteholder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the
Noteholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Noteholder any plan
or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or
the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect
of the claim of any Noteholder in any such proceedings.
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Section 6.10. Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof;
SECOND: to Noteholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for
principal, premium, if any, and interest as to each, ratably, without
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and
payable on the Notes; and
THIRD: to the Issuers or, to the extent the Trustee collects any
amounts from any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Noteholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder
pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default known to the Trustee has occurred and is
continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such rights and powers vested in it by
this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a
prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
such person's own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the
Trustee:
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(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically
set forth in this Indenture and no others.
(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture but, in
the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof
are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall
be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they
conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
Section 7.01.
(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Sections 6.02, 6.04 and 6.05 hereof.
(4) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
performance of any of its rights or powers if it determines in the exercise
of its reasonable discretion that repayment of such funds or adequate
indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(d) The Trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to
it in its reasonable discretion against any loss, liability, expense or fee.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by the law.
(f) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default
or fact or event which might require the Trustee to take any action or give any
notice unless one of its Trust Officers has actual knowledge thereof.
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(g) The Trustee has previously been appointed, and may serve
contemporaneously with its service hereunder, as Trustee under the Senior
Discount Notes Indenture and the Existing Notes Indenture and shall not be
considered to be conflicted in its duties under any of the Senior Discount Notes
Indenture, the Existing Notes Indenture or this Indenture by reason of its
acting as trustee under the other. After an Event of Default (as defined in the
respective Indenture) under any of the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the
Existing Notes Indenture or this Indenture, and in order that it might not be
conflicted in the performance of its duties under any indenture, the Trustee
shall resign as trustee under two of the Indentures; provided, however, that
until the appointment of a successor Trustee, the Trustee shall not be
considered to have violated the standard set forth in Section 7.01(a) hereof by
continuing to act as Trustee under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the
Existing Notes Indenture and this Indenture if it separates the performance of
its discretionary duties under the Senior Discount Notes Indenture, the Existing
Notes Indenture and this Indenture within its corporate trust department and
retains separate counsel for itself as trustee under each of such indenture.
(h) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, Sections 7.01(a),
(b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) shall govern every provision of this Indenture
that in any way relates to the Trustee.
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.
Subject to Section 7.01 hereof:
(1) The Trustee may rely on any document reasonably believed by it to
be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting with respect to
any matters contemplated by this Indenture or the Notes it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall
conform to the provisions of Section 11.05 hereof. The Trustee shall be
protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
(3) The Trustee may act through Agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent so long as the appointment of
such agent was made with due care.
(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers.
(5) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the
advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and
complete authorization
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and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or
suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or
opinion of such counsel.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Notes and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform
services for or otherwise deal with the Issuers, or any Affiliates thereof, with
the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same
with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and
7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation
as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be
accountable for the Issuers' use of the proceeds from the sale of Notes or any
money paid to the Issuers pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and it shall
not be responsible for any statement in the Notes other than its certificate of
authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the
Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Noteholder notice of the Default within
30 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in payment of the
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note the Trustee may
withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors of the Trustee, the
executive committee or any trust committee of such board and/or its Trust
Officers in good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the
interests of the Noteholders.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders.
If required by TIA (S) 313(a), within 60 days after May 15 of any
year, commencing the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee
shall mail to each Noteholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that
complies with TIA (S) 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA (S)
313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by
TIA (S) 313(c) and TIA (S) 313(d).
Reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be transmitted by mail:
(1) to all registered Holders, as the names and addresses of such
Holders appear on the Registrar's books; and
(2) to such Holder as have, within the two years preceding such
transmission, filed their names and addresses with the Trustee for that
purpose.
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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Noteholders shall
be filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are
listed. The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed
on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such
compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Issuers and the Trustee
for its services hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any
provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust). The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable
disbursements, expenses and advances incurred or made by it in connection with
its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation,
disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel.
The Issuers shall indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers,
directors, employees and agents and any predecessor Trustee and its officers,
directors, employees and agents for, and hold each of them harmless against, any
and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes (other than
taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred by any of them in connection
with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including
the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim or
liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the powers or
duties of the Trustee hereunder (including, without limitation, settlement
costs). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers in writing promptly of any claim
asserted against the Trustee or any such officer, director, employee or agent
for which any of them may seek indemnity. However, the failure by the Trustee to
so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations
hereunder except to the extent the Issuers are prejudiced thereby. This
indemnity shall survive the termination of this Indenture, final payment of the
Notes, and resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers need not reimburse the
Trustee or any such officer, director, employee or agent for any expense or
indemnify any of them against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or
any such officer, director, employee or agent through its negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith. To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers in
this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money
or Property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or Property held
in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(g) or (h) hereof occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
For purposes of this Section 7.07, the term "Trustee" shall include
any trustee appointed pursuant to Article 9.
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Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Issuers in writing. The
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove
the Trustee by notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a
successor Trustee with the Issuers' written consent which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The Issuers may remove the Trustee at its election if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or
its Property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition
any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, any
Noteholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of
the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Immediately following
such delivery, the retiring Trustee shall, subject to its rights under Section
7.07 hereof, transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor
Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and
duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Noteholder. Notwithstanding replacement of the
Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers' obligations under Section
7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
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Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Consolidation, Merger or Conversion.
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or
transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another
corporation, subject to Section 7.10 hereof, the successor corporation without
any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) in every respect. The Trustee
shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth
in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall
comply with TIA Section 310(b), including the provision in Section 310(b)(1).
The provisions of TIA Section 310 shall apply to the Issuers as obligors of the
Notes.
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.
The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any
creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311 (b). A Trustee who has resigned
or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated
therein. The provisions of TIA Section 311 shall apply to the Issuers as
obligors of the Notes.
Section 7.12. Paying Agents.
The Issuers shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
execute and deliver to them and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent
shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:
(A) that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the
payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes
(whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuers or by any
obligor on the Notes) in trust for the benefit of Holders or the
Trustee;
(B) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event
of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the
Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full
accounting thereof; and
(C) that it will give the Trustee written notice within three (3)
Business Days of any failure of the Issuers (or by any other obligor
on the Notes) in the payment of any installment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due
and payable.
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ARTICLE 8
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 8.01. Without Consent of Holders.
The Issuers and the Guarantors, when authorized by a Board Resolution,
and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without
notice to or consent of any Noteholder:
(1) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;
(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
Certificated Notes;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the Commission under the TIA;
(4) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make any
other change that does not, in the opinion of the Trustee, materially and
adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder;
(5) add Guarantors with respect to the Notes; or
(6) release Guarantors when permitted by this Indenture.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuers and the
Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or
permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate
agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee
shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which
adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.
Section 8.02. With Consent of Holders.
The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may modify or supplement
this Indenture or the Notes with the written consent of the Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes without notice to
any Noteholder. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Notes may waive compliance in a particular instance by
the Issuers and the Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes
without notice to any Noteholder. Subject to Section 8.04, without the consent
of each Noteholder affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver,
including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
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(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture or the Notes;
(2) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest
(including Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement)) on any Note;
(3) reduce the principal of, or premium on, or change the stated
maturity, of any Note or change the date on which any Notes may be subject
to redemption or repurchase or reduce the redemption or repurchase price
therefor;
(4) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note
or change the place of payment from New York, New York;
(5) waive a Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest
on, or any redemption payment with respect to, any Note;
(6) make any changes in Section 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or this sentence
of Section 8.02;
(7) amend, change or modify in any material respect, the obligation of
the Issuers to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event
of a Change of Control or, make and consummate an Excess Proceeds Offer
with respect to any Asset Sale that has been consummated or modify any of
the provisions or definitions with respect thereto;
(8) modify or change any provision of this Indenture or the related
definitions affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Guarantee in a manner
which adversely affects the Holders; provided that ranking shall not be
affected by the existence or lack of a security interest or by priority
with respect to a security interest; or
(9) release any Guarantor other than Holdings from any of its
obligations under its Guarantee or this Indenture otherwise than in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 8.02
becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to the Holders a notice briefly
describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Upon the request of the Issuers, accompanied by a Board Resolution
authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the
receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the
consent of the Noteholders as aforesaid and upon receipt by the Trustee of the
documents described in Section 8.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the
Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental inden-
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ture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties
or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may in its
discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental
indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or
waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance
thereof.
Section 8.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Notes shall
comply with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 8.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes
effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent conclusive and
binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Note or portion
thereof, and of any Note issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any
such Note. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent
as to his Note or portion of a Note, if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action
becomes effective.
The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment,
supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the
preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or
their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to
consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent
previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such
record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days
after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has
been obtained.
After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes
effective, it shall bind every Noteholder, unless it makes a change described in
any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 8.02 hereof. In that case the
amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder who has
consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that
evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Note.
Section 8.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
If an amendment, supplement, or waiver changes the terms of a Note,
the Trustee may request the Holder to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case,
the Trustee shall place an
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appropriate notation on the Note about the changed terms and return it to the
Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuers or the Trustee so determine, the Issuers
in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new
Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation
or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment
supplement or waiver.
Section 8.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized
pursuant to this Article 8 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not
materially adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the
Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or
refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully
protected in relying upon an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by
this Indenture. The Issuers and each Guarantor may not sign an amendment or
supplement until the Board of Directors of each of the Issuers and each such
Guarantor approves it.
ARTICLE 9
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
Section 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to
surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein
expressly provided for) and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense
of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when either:
(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A)
Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been
replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 hereof and (B) Notes for whose
payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and
held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or
discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation; or
(b) (i) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation (A) have become due and payable or (B) will become due and
payable within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one
year, under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for giving
of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of
the Issuers, and the Issuers have irrevocably deposited or
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caused to be deposited with the Trustee in trust an amount of U.S. legal
tender or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire Indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation, for the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be,
together with irrevocable instructions from the Issuers directing the
Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or
redemption as the case may be; (ii) the Issuers have paid or caused to be
paid all other sums payable under this Indenture by the Issuers; and (iii)
the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent herein
provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture
have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01(a)(B), the
obligations of the Trustee under Section 9.05, shall survive.
Section 9.02. Legal Defeasance.
The Issuers may at their option, by Board Resolution, be discharged
from their obligations with respect to the Notes and the Guarantors discharged
from their obligations under the Guarantees (hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance").
For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed
to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Notes and
to have satisfied all of their other obligations under such Notes and this
Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense
of the Issuers, shall, subject to Section 9.06 hereof, execute proper
instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of
Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust funds described in
Section 9.04 hereof and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in
respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when
such payments are due, (B) the Issuers' obligations with respect to such Notes
under Article 2 and Section 4.16 hereof, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties,
and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to,
the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 hereof) and (D) this Article 9.
Subject to compliance with this Article 9, the Issuers may exercise their option
under this Section 9.02 with respect to the Notes notwithstanding the prior
exercise of their option under Section 9.03 below with respect to the Notes.
Section 9.03. Covenant Defeasance.
At the option of the Issuers, pursuant to a Board Resolution, the
Issuers and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations
under Sections 4.02, 4.04 through 4.13, 4.15, and 4.17 through 4.22 hereof, and
clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the
outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set
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forth in Section 9.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance").
For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuers may omit to
comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in any such specified Section or portion thereof, whether
directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such
specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such
specified Section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any
other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Notes shall be
unaffected thereby.
Section 9.04. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.02
or Section 9.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
(1) the Issuers shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements
of Section 7.10 hereof who shall agree to comply with the provisions of
this Article 9 applicable to it) as funds in trust for the purpose of
making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders, (A) U.S. legal tender in
an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled
payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money
in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and
discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying
trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, premium, if any, and
accrued interest on the outstanding Notes at the maturity date of such
principal, premium, if any, or interest, or on dates for payment and
redemption of such principal, premium, if any, and interest selected in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Notes; provided,
however, that the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) shall have received
an irrevocable written order from the Issuers instructing the Trustee (or
other qualifying trustee) to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S.
Government Obligations to said payments with respect to the Notes;
(2) no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and no Event of
Default of the type specified in Section 6.01(g) or (h) shall have occurred
and be continuing on the date of such deposit, or shall have occurred and
be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after
the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the
expiration of the longest preference period under any Bankruptcy Law
applicable to the Issuers in respect of such deposit (it being understood
that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of
such period);
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(3) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the
Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA with respect
to any securities of the Issuers;
(4) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute default under any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Issuers or any of their Subsidiaries
are a party or by which either Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
(5) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel stating that, as a result of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance, neither the trust nor the Trustee will be required to register
as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended;
(6) in the case of an election under Section 9.02 above, the Issuers
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i)
the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the
Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that or (ii) there has been
a change in any applicable Federal income tax law with the effect that, and
such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes or
persons in their positions will not recognize income, gain or loss for
Federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such Legal Defeasance and
will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would
have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of an election under Section 9.03 hereof, the Issuers
shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel describing either
a private ruling concerning the Notes or a published ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as
a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(8) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for relating to either Legal Defeasance under Section
9.02 above or Covenant Defeasance under Section 9.03 hereof (as the case
may be) have been complied with;
(9) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the
Issuers with the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over any
other creditors of the Issuers or with the
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intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the
Issuers or others;
(10) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel to the effect that, assuming no intervening event of the type
described in Section 6.01(g) or (h) shall occur and no Holder is an
"insider" (as such term is used under applicable Bankruptcy Law) of either
Issuer after the 91st day after the date of such deposit or, if longer,
ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period
under any Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Issuers in respect of such
deposit, the funds deposited in trust will not be subject to the effect of
any Bankruptcy Law; and
(11) before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in
accordance with Section 3.07(a) hereof.
Section 9.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
All money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds
thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 or 9.04 hereof in
respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the
Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to
the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may
determine, to the Holders of such Notes, of all sums due and to become due
thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, but such
money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by
law.
The Issuers and the Guarantors shall pay and indemnify the Trustee
against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S.
Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.01 or 9.04 hereof or the
principal, premium, if any, and interest received in respect thereof other than
any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders
of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article 9 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon a written
request of the Issuers in the form of an Officers' Certificate any money or U.S.
Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 9.01 or 9.04 hereof
which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be
deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
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Section 9.06. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 hereof by
reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any
court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting
such application, the Issuers' and each Guarantor's obligations under this
Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 9 until such time as the
Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with Section 9.01 hereof; provided, however, that if
the Issuers or the Guarantors have made any payment of principal of, premium, if
any, or accrued interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of their
obligations, the Issuers and each such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the
rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or
U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
Section 9.07. Moneys Held by Paying Agent.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture,
all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture
shall, upon demand of the Issuers, be paid to the Trustee, or if sufficient
moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.01 hereof, to the Issuers (or,
if such moneys had been deposited by any Guarantor, to such Guarantor) and
thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such moneys.
Section 9.08. Moneys Held by Trustee.
Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held
by the Issuers or any Guarantor in trust for the payment of the principal of, or
premium, if any, or interest on any Note that are not applied but remain
unclaimed by the Holder of such Note for two years after the date upon which the
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Note shall have
respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Issuers (or, if
appropriate, the applicable Guarantor) upon a written request of the Issuers in
the form of an Officers' Certificate, or if such moneys are then held by the
Issuers or any Guarantor in trust, such moneys shall be released from such
trust; and the Holder of such Note entitled to receive such payment shall
thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuers and the
Guarantors for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such
Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease.
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ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantees.
Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees,
jointly and severally, to each Holder and to the Trustee on behalf of the
Holders and its successors and assigns (a) the due and punctual payment of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when due, whether at
maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary
obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration
Rights Agreement and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable
grace periods of all other obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture, the
Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement (all the foregoing being hereinafter
collectively called the "Guaranteed Obligations"). Each Guarantor further agrees
that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part,
without notice or further assent from such Guarantor and that such Guarantor
will remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal
of any Guaranteed Obligation.
Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment,
filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of either
Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest,
notice and all demands whatsoever. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default
under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor
hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee
to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the
Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other
agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any
rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any
security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any
of them; (e) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or
remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (f) except
as provided in Section 10.06, any change in the ownership of such Guarantor.
Except as expressly set forth in Sections 10.02 and 10.06, the
obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction,
limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of
waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject
to any defense of set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or
by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed
Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or
otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any
claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any
other agreement, by any waiver or modification of
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any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or by any other act or thing or
omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner
or to any extent vary the risk of such Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a
discharge of such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue
to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or
any part thereof, of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any
Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder
or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of either Issuer or
otherwise.
In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other
right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any
Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of either Issuer to pay the
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any obligation under the Notes or
this Indenture when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by
acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other
obligation under the Notes or this Indenture, each Guarantor hereby promises to
and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause
to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid
interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited
by law) and (iii) all other monetary Guaranteed Obligations of the Issuers to
the Holders and the Trustee.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until
payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees
that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the
other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations hereby may be
accelerated as provided in Section 6 for the purposes of such Guarantor's
Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition
preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations under the Notes or
this Indenture guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of
acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6, such obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such
Guarantor for the purposes of this Section.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in
enforcing any rights under this Article 10.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability.
Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary
notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed
hereunder by any Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be
hereby guaranteed without rendering this Inden-
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ture, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to
fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the
rights of creditors generally. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the
obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will,
after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such
Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or
on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other
Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations
hereunder, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not
constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or
state law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee
shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor in a pro rata
amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Guarantor.
In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns.
This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its
successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and
assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges
conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically
extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms
and conditions of this Indenture.
Section 10.04. No Waiver.
Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the
Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The
rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly
specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or
benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by
statute or otherwise.
Section 10.05. Modification.
No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article
10, nor the consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the
Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any
Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other or further
notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
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Section 10.06. Release of Guarantor.
A Guarantor shall be released from all of its obligations under its
Guarantee if:
(i) the Guarantor has sold all or substantially all of its
assets or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have sold
all of the Capital Stock of the Guarantor owned by them, in each
case in a transaction in compliance with Sections 4.08 and 5.01
hereof; or
(ii) the Guarantor merges with or into or consolidates with,
or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to, the
Company or another Guarantor in a transaction in compliance with
Section 5.01 hereof;
and in each such case, such Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent herein provided for relating to such transactions have been complied
with.
Section 10.07. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors.
Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to
Section 4.21 shall, and the Issuers shall cause each such Subsidiary to,
promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form
of Exhibit F hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor
under this Article 10 and shall guarantee the obligations of the Company under
the Notes and this Indenture. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of
such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion
of Counsel to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and that, subject to the
application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or
transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors' rights generally and to
the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
equity, the Guarantee of such Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation
of such Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its
terms.
Section 10.08. Execution and Delivery of Guarantees.
To evidence the Guarantee set forth in this Article 10, each Guarantor
hereby agrees that a notation of such Guarantee substantially in the form of
Exhibit E hereto shall be placed on each Note authenticated and made available
for delivery by the Trustee and that this Guarantee shall be executed on behalf
of each Guarantor by the manual or facsimile signature of two Officers or an
Officer and the Secretary of each Guarantor.
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Each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section
10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to
endorse on each Note a notation of such Guarantee.
If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on the Guarantee no
longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which
the Guarantee is endorsed, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in
this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA,
the required provision shall control.
Section 11.02. Notices.
Any notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently given if made by hand delivery,
by telex, by telecopier or registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, addressed as follows:
If to the Issuers or any Guarantor:
c/o Muzak LLC
3318 Lakemont Boulevard
Fort Mill, South Carolina 29708
Attention: Michael F. Zendan II, Esq.
Tel: (803) 396-3000
Fax: (803) 396-3357
Copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis
153 East 53rd Street
New York, New York 10022
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Attention: Joshua N. Korff, Esq.
Tel: (212) 446-4800
Fax: (212) 446-4900
Copy to:
ABRY Partners, Inc.
111 Huntington Avenue
30th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02199
Attention: Peni Garber
Tel: (617) 859-2959
Fax: (617) 859-8797
If to the Trustee:
U.S Bank National Association
One Federal Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Ref: Muzak 10% Senior Notes due 2009
Fax: (617) 603-6576
The Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee by written notice to the
others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications. Any notice or communication to the Issuers, any Guarantor and
the Trustee, shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so
delivered if personally delivered; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt
is acknowledged, if telecopied; and five (5) calendar days after mailing if sent
by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change
of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the
addressee).
Any notice or communication mailed to a Noteholder shall be mailed to
it by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at his address shown on the register
kept by the Registrar.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders.
If a notice or communication to a Noteholder is mailed in the manner provided
above, it shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by
reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required
by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the
approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
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Section 11.03. Communications by Holders with Other Holders.
Noteholders may communicate pursuant to TIA (S) 312(b) with other
Noteholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The
Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA (S) 312(c).
Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuers or any Guarantor to the
Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuers or such Guarantor,
as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee if and to the extent reasonably
requested by the Trustee:
(1) an Officers' Certificate (which shall include the statements set
forth in Section 11.05 below) stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating
to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set
forth in Section 11.05 below) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate and Opinion.
Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance with a
condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has
read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person,
such covenant or condition has been complied with.
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Section 11.06. When Treasury Notes Disregarded.
In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal
amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned
by the Issuers, any Guarantor or any other obligor on the Notes or by any
Affiliate of any of them shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of
determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee actually knows are so
owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good
faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of
the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to the Notes and that the
pledgee is not an Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Notes or
any Affiliate of any of them.
Section 11.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at meetings of
Noteholders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their
functions.
Section 11.08. Business Days; Legal Holidays.
A "Business Day" is a day that is not a Legal Holiday. A "Legal
Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday, a federally recognized holiday or a day on
which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made
at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no
interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 11.09. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.
Section 11.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan,
security or debt agreement of either Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof. No such
indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this
Indenture.
-103-
Section 11.11. No Recourse Against Others.
A Director, officer, employee, stockholder or incorporator, as such,
of either Issuer or any Guarantor shall not have any liability for any
obligations of either Issuer or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or
this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creations. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note waives and
releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
Section 11.12. Successors.
All agreements of each of the Issuers and each Guarantor in this
Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements
of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture
shall bind its successor.
Section 11.13. Multiple Counterparts.
The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each
signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together
represent one and the same agreement.
Section 11.14. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.15. Separability.
Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable and if
for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the
basic purpose of this Indenture or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
-104-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed all as of the date and year first written above.
MUZAK LLC
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
------------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
------------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
-105-
Guarantors:
MUZAK HOLDINGS LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
MUZAK CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
MLP ENVIRONMENTAL MUSIC, LLC, a
Washington limited liability company
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
BUSINESS SOUND, INC., an Ohio corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
-106-
AUDIO ENVIRONMENTS, INC., a California
corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
BI ACQUISITION, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
BACKGROUND MUSIC BROADCASTERS, INC., a
California corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
TELEPHONE AUDIO PRODUCTIONS, INC.,
a Texas corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
VORTEX SOUND COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY,
INC., a Delaware corporation
-107-
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
MUSIC INCORPORATED, a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
MUZAK HOUSTON, INC., a Texas
corporation
By: /s/ Michael F. Zendan II
--------------------------------
Name: Michael F. Zendan II
Title: Vice President
-108-
Trustee:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Trustee
By: /s/ John Brennan
------------------------------------
Name: John Brennan
Title: Trust Officer
EXHIBIT A
(FACE OF NOTE)
[FORM OF NOTE]
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF
THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF
THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUERS THAT (A)
THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN
THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, (III) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN
RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH
TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE
TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUERS THAT
SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144
THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE
HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF
THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.
A-1
CUSIP No. $
-------------
MUZAK LLC
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.
10% Senior Notes due 2009
Muzak LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Muzak Finance
Corp., a Delaware corporation (collectively, the "Issuers", which term includes
any successor entities), for value received promise to pay to
or registered assigns the principal sum of
- ------------------------
Dollars, on February 15, 2009.
- -------------------
Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15 commencing November 15,
2003
Record Dates: May 1 and November 1
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note contained in
the attached "Terms of the Notes", which will for all purposes have the same
effect as if set forth at this place.
A-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuers have caused this Note to be signed
manually or by facsimile by their duly authorized officers.
MUZAK LLC
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Certificate of Authentication:
This is one of the 10% Senior Notes due
2009 referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture
Dated:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:
------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
A-3
TERMS OF THE NOTES
MUZAK LLC
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.
10% Senior Notes due 2009
1. Interest.
Muzak LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), and
Muzak Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Finance Corp." and together with
the Company, the "Issuers"), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of
this Note semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year and on the
maturity date (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on November 15,
2003, at the rate of 10% per annum. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been
paid, from the date of the original issuance of the Notes.
The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal, and on overdue
premium, if any, and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate of
interest borne by the Notes.
2. Method Of Payment.
The Issuers will pay interest on this Note provided for in Paragraph 1
above (except defaulted interest) to the person who is the registered Holder of
this Note at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 preceding the
Interest Payment Date (whether or not such day is a Business Day). The Holder
must surrender this Note to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The
Issuers will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United
States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts; provided, however, that the Issuers may pay principal, premium,
if any, and interest by check payable in such money. The Issuers may mail an
interest check to the Holder's registered address.
3. Paying Agent and Registrar.
Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking
association (the "Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers
may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. Neither
the Issuers nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates may act as Paying Agent
but may act as Registrar or co-Registrar.
4. Indenture; Restrictive Covenants.
The Issuers issued this Note under an Indenture dated as of May 20,
2003 (the "Indenture") among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The
terms of this Note in-
A-4
clude those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code (S) 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the date of the Indenture. This Note is subject to all such terms,
and the Holder of this Note is referred to the Indenture and said Trust
Indenture Act for a statement of them. All capitalized terms in this Note,
unless otherwise defined, have the meanings assigned to them by the Indenture.
The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Issuers unlimited
in aggregate principal amount, $220,000,000 of which were issued on the Issue
Date. The Indenture imposes certain restrictions on, among other things, the
incurrence of indebtedness, the incurrence of liens, the making of certain
investments, mergers and sale of assets, the payments of dividends on or the
repurchase of, capital stock of the Issuers, certain other restricted payments
by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries, certain transactions with, and
investments in, their Affiliates, the creation of Subsidiaries, the issuance of
capital stock by Subsidiaries, the types of businesses which the Issuers and
their Subsidiaries may engage in, the creation of dividend and other payment
restrictions affecting Subsidiaries, certain sale-leaseback transactions and a
provision regarding change-of-control transactions.
5. Redemption.
(a) The Issuers may redeem the Notes that are redeemable at their
option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time on or after February
15, 2006 at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount thereof), set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on
February 15 of each year indicated below:
Year Percentage
- ---- ----------
2006.............................................................. 105.000%
2007.............................................................. 102.500%
2008 and thereafter............................................... 100.000%
(b) The Issuers may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the
Notes originally issued under the Indenture, at any time and from time to time
prior to February 15, 2006, at a redemption price equal to 110% of the aggregate
principal amount so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
Redemption Date out of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings;
provided, that at least 65% of the principal amount of the Notes originally
issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any such
redemption (it being expressly agreed that for purposes of determining whether
this condition is satisfied, Notes owned by the Issuers or any of their
Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding). In order to effect the
foregoing redemption with the proceeds of any Equity Offering, the Issuers shall
make such redemption not more than 60 days following the closing of any such
Equity Offering.
A-5
6. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption will be mailed via first class mail at least 30
days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder to be
redeemed at its registered address as it shall appear on the register of the
Notes maintained by the Registrar. On and after any Redemption Date, interest
will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption
unless the Issuers shall fail to redeem any such Note.
7. Offers to Purchase.
The Indenture requires that certain proceeds from Asset Sales be used,
subject to further limitations contained therein, to make an offer to purchase
certain amounts of Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
Indenture. The Issuers are also required to make an offer to purchase Notes upon
occurrence of a Change of Control in accordance with procedures set forth in the
Indenture.
8. Registration Rights.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement the Issuers will be
obligated to consummate an exchange offer pursuant to which the Holder of this
Note shall have the right to exchange this Note for Notes of a separate series
issued under the Indenture (or a trust indenture substantially identical to the
Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement)
which have been registered under the Securities Act, in like principal amount
and having substantially identical terms as the Notes. The Holders shall be
entitled to receive certain additional interest payments in the event such
exchange offer is not consummated and upon certain other conditions, all
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement.
9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. A Holder may register the transfer or
exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any Note
selected for redemption or register the transfer of or exchange any Note for a
period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Note after
it is called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any Note being redeemed in part.
10. Persons Deemed Owners.
The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it
for all purposes.
A-6
11. Unclaimed Money.
If money for the payment of principal, premium or interest on any Note
remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money
back to the Issuers at its request. After that, Holders entitled to money must
look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors unless an "abandoned
property" law designates another person.
12. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be
modified, amended or supplemented by the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee
with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding and any existing Default or compliance with any
provision may be waived in a particular instance with the consent of the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Without the
consent of Holders, the Issuers, and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the
Notes or supplement the Indenture for certain specified purposes including
providing for uncertificated Notes in addition to certificated Notes, and curing
any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or making any other change that does not
materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
13. Successor Entity.
When a successor entity assumes all the obligations of its predecessor
under the Notes and the Indenture and immediately before and thereafter no
Default exists and certain other conditions are satisfied, the predecessor
entity will be released from those obligations.
14. Defaults and Remedies.
Events of Default are set forth in the Indenture. If an Event of
Default (other than an Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(g) or (h) of
the Indenture with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
by notice to the Company, or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, may declare to be immediately
due and payable the entire principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding
plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of acceleration; provided, however,
that after such acceleration but before judgment or decree based on such
acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences if all existing Events
of Default, other than the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest that has
become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and if
the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. No such
rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent
thereto. In case an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(g) or (h) of the
Indenture occurs, such principal amount, together with premium, if any, and
interest with respect to all of the Notes, shall be due and payable imme-
A-7
diately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the
Holders of the Notes.
15. Trustee Dealings With the Issuers.
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other
capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the
Issuers, and may otherwise deal with the Issuers, as if it were not Trustee.
16. No Recourse Against Others.
As more fully described in the Indenture, a director, officer,
employee or stockholder, as such, of either Issuer or any Guarantor shall not
have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under
the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
or by reason of such obligations or their creation. The Holder of this Note by
accepting this Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issuance of this Note.
17. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of the entire
indebtedness on this Note and for defeasance of certain covenants in the
Indenture upon compliance by the Issuers with certain conditions set forth in
the Indenture.
18. Abbreviations.
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants
in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. Cusip Numbers.
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Securities Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP Numbers to
be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as convenience to Holders of the Notes. No representation
is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.
20. Governing Law.
THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
A-8
NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS THAT WOULD APPLY THE LAW OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THE INDENTURE HAS AGREED TO SUBMIT
TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE OR THIS NOTE.
THE ISSUERS WILL FURNISH TO ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
AND WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE INDENTURE. REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO: MUZAK LLC,
3318 Lakemont Boulevard, Fort Mill, South Carolina 29708, Attention: Michael F.
Zendan II, Esq.
A-9
ASSIGNMENT
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
(Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. number)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Print or type name, address and Zip Code of assignee)
and irrevocably appoint:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The Agent may
substitute another to act for him.
Date: Your Signature:
-------------------- --------------------
------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the other side of
this Note)
Signature Guarantee:
---------------------------------
A-10
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have all or any part of this Note purchased by
the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, check the
appropriate box:
[ ] Section 4.08 [ ] Section 4.15
If you want to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers
pursuant to Section 4.08 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you
elect to have purchased:
$
-----------------
Date:
-------------
Your Signature:
--------------------------------------
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this
Note)
- ---------------------------
Signature Guaranteed
A-11
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF LEGEND FOR GLOBAL NOTES
Any Global Note authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a
legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of
a Restricted Security) in substantially the following form:
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITORY. THIS NOTE IS NOT EXCHANGEABLE FOR NOTES REGISTERED
IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN
THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF
THIS NOTE (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY
TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE
DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT
IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (A NEW YORK CORPORATION) ("DTC") TO THE
ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN
SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND
ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS
THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
B-1
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE
OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF NOTES
Re: 10% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Notes") of Muzak LLC
and Muzak Finance Corp.
This Certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in
-------
the form of* a beneficial interest in a Global Note or* Certificated
--- -------
Notes by (the "Transferor").
------
The Transferor:*
[ ] has requested by written order that the Registrar deliver in exchange
for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a
Certificated Note or Certificated Notes in definitive, registered form of
authorized denominations and an aggregate number equal to its beneficial
interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); or
[ ] has requested that the Registrar by written order to exchange or
register the transfer of a Certificated Note or Certificated Notes.
In connection with such request and in respect of each such Note, the
Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the
Indenture relating to the above captioned Notes and the restrictions on
transfers thereof as provided in Section 2.06 of such Indenture, and that the
transfer of this Note does not require registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), because*:
[ ] Such Note is being acquired for the Transferor's own account, without
transfer (in satisfaction of Section 2.06 of the Indenture).
[ ] Such Note is being transferred to a Qualified Institutional Buyer (as
defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), in reliance on Rule 144A.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on Regulation S under the
Securities Act and a Transferor Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
D-1 to the Indenture accompanies this Certificate.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on Rule 144 under the
Securities Act.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than
Rule 144A or Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act to a person other
than an institutional "accred-
C-1
ited investor." An opinion of counsel to the effect that such transfer does not
require registration under the Securities Act accompanies this Certificate.
[ ] Such Note is being transferred to an institutional "accredited
investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Securities
Act), who has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as
to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Notes,
and it and any accounts for which it is acting are each able to bear the
economic risk of their investment. An opinion of counsel to the effect that such
transfer does not require registration under the Securities Act and a Transferee
Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 to the Indenture
accompanies this Certificate.
-----------------------------------
[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]
By:
----------------------------------
[Authorized Signatory]
Date:
---------------------------------
*Check applicable box.
C-2
EXHIBIT D-1
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE
DELIVERED IN CONNECTION
WITH REGULATION S TRANSFERS
Re: 10% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Notes") of Muzak LLC
(the "Company") and Muzak Finance Corp. (together with
the Company, the "Issuers")
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of $ aggregate
------------
principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected
pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, we represent that:
(1) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United
States;
(2) either (a) at the time the buy offer was originated, the
transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our
behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United
States, or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither we nor
any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been
prearranged with a buyer in the United States;
(3) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in
contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of
Regulation S, as applicable;
(4) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the
registration requirements of the Securities Act; and
(5) we have advised the transferee of the transfer restrictions
applicable to the Notes.
You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or
D-1-1
legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered
hereby. Defined terms used herein without definition have the respective
meanings provided in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:
----------------------------------
[Authorized Signatory]
D-1-2
EXHIBIT D-2
ACCREDITED INVESTOR TRANSFEREE CERTIFICATE
Muzak LLC
Muzak Finance Corp.
U.S. Bank National Association
c/o U.S. Bank National Association
One Federal Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed purchase of $ aggregate
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principal amount of the 10% Senior Notes due 2009 (the "Notes") of Muzak LLC
(the "Company") and Muzak Finance Corp. (together with the Company, the
"Issuers"), we confirm that:
1. We understand that none of the Notes has been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and, unless so
registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence.
We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which
we are purchasing any Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer any such
Notes prior to the date (the "Resale Restriction Termination Date") that is
two years after the later of the original issuance of this Note and the
last date on which either Issuer, or any Affiliate of either Issuer, was
the owner of this Note (or any predecessor of this Note) except (A) to
either Issuer or any subsidiary thereof, (B) inside the United States to a
Qualified Institutional Buyer in compliance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, (C) inside the United States to an Institutional Accredited
Investor within the meaning of subparagraph (a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Rule
501 under the Securities Act that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or
has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to the Trustee a
signed letter substantially in the form of this letter, (D) outside the
United States in an offshore transaction in compliance with Rule 904 under
the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to any other available exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act. Each purchaser
acknowledges that the Issuers and the Trustee reserve the right prior to
any offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction
Termination Date of the applicable Notes pursuant to clause (c) or (e)
above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certification
and/or other information satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee.
2. We are an Institutional Accredited Investor purchasing such Notes
for our own account or for the account of one or more Institutional
Accredited Investors, and we are acquiring such Notes for investment
purposes and not with a view to, or for of-
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fer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the
Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States and
we have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as
to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in such
Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to
bear the economic risk of our or their investment in such Notes for an
indefinite period.
3. We acknowledge that we have had access to such financial and other
information, and have been afforded the opportunity to ask such questions
of representatives of the Issuers and receive answers thereto, as we deem
necessary.
We understand that the Trustee will not be required to accept for
registration of transfer any Notes acquired by us, except upon presentation of
evidence satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee that the foregoing
restrictions on transfer have been complied with. We further understand that any
Notes purchased by us will be in the form of definitive physical certificates
and that such certificates will bear a legend reflecting the substance of this
paragraph 1 of this letter. We further agree to provide to any person acquiring
any of the Notes from us a notice advising such person that transfers of such
Notes are restricted as stated herein and that certificates representing such
Notes will bear a legend to that effect.
We represent that the Issuers and the Trustee and others are entitled
to rely upon the truth and accuracy of our acknowledgments, representations and
agreements set forth herein, and we agree to notify you promptly in writing if
any of our acknowledgments, representations or agreements herein cease to be
accurate and complete. You are also irrevocably authorized to produce this
letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal
proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
We represent to you that we have full power to make the foregoing
acknowledgments, representations and agreements on our own behalf and on behalf
of any investor account for which we are acting as fiduciary agent.
As used herein, the terms "offshore transaction," "United States" and
"U.S. person" have the respective meanings given to them in Regulation S under
the Securities Act.
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THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Very truly yours,
(Name of Purchaser)
By:
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Date:
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Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new
beneficial owner as follows:
Name:
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Address:
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EXHIBIT E
FORM OF NOTATION ON NOTE RELATING TO GUARANTEE
GUARANTEE
Each Guarantor (the "Guarantor", which term includes any successor
Person under the Indenture) has unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior basis,
jointly and severally, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to
the provisions of the Indenture, (a) the due and punctual payment of the
principal of and interest on the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal, and,
to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual performance
of all other Obligations of the Issuers to the Noteholders or the Trustee all in
accordance with the terms set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture, and (b) in
case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such
other Obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or
performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at
stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
The obligations of the undersigned to the Holders of Notes and to the
Trustee pursuant to this Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in
Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for
the precise terms of the Guarantee and all of the other provisions of the
Indenture to which this Guarantee relates.
THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW.
This Guarantee is subject to release upon the terms set forth in the
Indenture.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused its Guarantee to be duly
executed.
GUARANTORS:
[___________]
By:
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Name:
Title:
[___________]
By:
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Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT F
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture"), dated as of
, among [___________] (the "New Guarantor"), a subsidiary of
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Muzak, LLC (or its successor), a Delaware limited liability company (the
"Company"), Muzak Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Finance Corp." and
together with the Company, the "Issuers"), the Guarantors (the "Existing
Guarantors") under the Indenture referred to below, and U.S. Bank National
Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS the Issuers have heretofore executed and delivered to the
Trustee an Indenture (as such may be amended from time to time, the
"Indenture"), dated as of May 20, 2003, providing for the issuance of 10% Senior
Notes due 2009 (the "Notes");
WHEREAS Section 4.21 of the Indenture provides that under certain
circumstances the Issuers are required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New
Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers' obligations under
the Notes pursuant to a Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
and
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 8.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the
Issuers and Existing Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this
Supplemental Indenture;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New
Guarantor, the Issuers, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually
covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Noteholders as
follows:
1. Definitions. (a) Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(b) For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, except as
otherwise herein expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) the terms and expressions used herein shall have the same meanings as
corresponding terms and expressions used in the Indenture; and (ii) the words
"herein," "hereof" and "hereby" and other words of similar import used in this
Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not
to any particular section hereof.
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2. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly
and severally with all other Guarantors, to guarantee the Issuers' obligations
under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article
10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the
Indenture. From and after the date hereof, the New Guarantor shall be a
Guarantor for all purposes under the Indenture and the Notes.
3. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of
Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects
ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof
shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a
part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of a Note heretofore or
hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.
4. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT
GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
5. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.
6. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
7. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the construction thereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:
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Name:
Title:
By:
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Name:
Title:
MUZAK LLC
By:
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Name:
Title:
By:
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Name:
Title:
MUZAK FINANCE CORP.
By:
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Name:
Title:
By:
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Name:
Title:
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EXISTING GUARANTORS:
By:
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Name:
Title:
By:
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Name:
Title:
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Trustee
By:
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Name:
Title:
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