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Form 8-K NetApp, Inc. For: Feb 02

February 2, 2016 4:17 PM EST

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): February 2, 2016 (February 2, 2016)

 

 

NetApp, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-27130   77-0307520

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

495 East Java Drive

Sunnyvale, California 94089

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(408) 822-6000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 2, 2016, NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into a Loan Agreement (as defined below) providing a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $870.0 million. In addition, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (as defined below) amending the Credit Agreement, dated December 12, 2012, by and among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”).

Term Loan Agreement

On February 2, 2016, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), among the Company, Sonoma Holdings C.V., as Assuming Borrower, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. The Loan Agreement provides for an $870.0 million unsecured term loan, all of which was drawn on the closing date for the Loan Agreement. The term loan matures on November 2, 2016. The proceeds of the loans were used by the Company to finance the Company’s acquisition of SolidFire, Inc.

The Loan Agreement contemplates that, within 30 days of the closing date of the Loan Agreement, Sonoma Holdings C.V will assume all of the Company’s obligations as the borrower under the Loan Agreement. Following the assumption, the Company will continue to remain a party to the Loan Agreement (other than in its capacity as the borrower) and will continue to be subject to and bound by all of the Company’s representations, covenants, agreements and obligations (other than in its capacity as the borrower) under the Loan Agreement and the other loan documents entered into in connection with the Loan Agreement.

Loans under the Loan Agreement accrue interest at a base rate or, at the Company’s option, an adjusted LIBO rate (based on one, two, three or six-month interest periods) plus, in each case, a spread based on the ratings of the Company’s senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. The base rate means the highest of (i) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s prime rate, (ii) the greater of the federal funds rate and an overnight bank funding rate plus a margin equal to 0.50% and (iii) the adjusted LIBO rate for a 1-month interest period plus a margin equal to 1.00%. Interest on the loans is payable on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the maturity date with respect to borrowings based on the base rate and at the end of an interest period in the case of borrowings based on the adjusted LIBO rate (or at each three month interval and on the maturity date if the interest period is longer than three months). The Company may, from time to time, elect to convert outstanding loans from one rate to another. In the case of an adjusted LIBO rate loan, the Company may elect to convert from one interest period to another. The Company may prepay the loans without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions. However, the Company may not reborrow any loans that were repaid. The principal amount of outstanding loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest, is due on the maturity date. The Company is also obligated to pay other customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type.

The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement will be guaranteed by its domestic subsidiaries meeting certain materiality thresholds. As of the closing date, there were no guarantors.

The Loan Agreement requires the Company to comply with a maximum leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur indebtedness at the subsidiary level, grant liens, sell all or substantially all of its assets, enter into certain mergers, and enter into transactions with affiliates, in each case subject to customary exceptions for a credit facility of this size and type.

The events of default under the Loan Agreement include payment defaults, material misrepresentations, breaches of covenants, cross defaults with certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, judgments, certain ERISA events and change of control defaults. The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of the Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreement and an obligation of any or all of the Company’s subsidiary guarantors to pay the full amount of the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.


The foregoing description of the Loan Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Amendment to the Credit Agreement

On February 2, 2016, the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase, N.A., as administrative agent entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 1”), which Amendment No. 1 amends the Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement to, among other things, increase the revolving commitments thereunder by $50 million to a total of $300 million and to permit the assumption of the loans under the Loan Agreement by the Assuming Borrower.

The description of Amendment No. 1 contained herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to Amendment No. 1 attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On February 2, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the acquisition of SolidFire, Inc., a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

10.1    Loan Agreement, dated February 2, 2016, by and among NetApp, Inc., Sonoma Holdings C.V., as assuming borrower, the lenders from party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
10.2    Amendment No. 1, dated February 2, 2016, by and among NetApp, Inc., the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated February 2, 2016.

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    NETAPP, INC.
February 2, 2016     By:  

/s/ Matthew K. Fawcett

     

Matthew K. Fawcett

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

10.1    Loan Agreement, dated February 2, 2016, by and among NetApp, Inc., Sonoma Holdings C..V., as assuming borrower, the lenders from party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
10.2    Amendment No. 1, dated February 2, 2016, by and among NetApp, Inc., the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
99.1    Press Release, dated February 2, 2016.

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

 

LOGO

LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of

February 2, 2016

among

NETAPP, INC.,

as the Parent and initial Borrower

SONOMA HOLDINGS C.V.,

as the Assuming Borrower

The Lenders Party Hereto

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

CITIBANK, N.A. and MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

and

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1   

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms

     1   

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     19   

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally

     19   

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations

     19   

SECTION 1.05. Dutch Terms.

     20   

ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

     20   

SECTION 2.01. Commitments

     20   

SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings

     21   

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings

     21   

SECTION 2.04. [Intentionally Omitted]

     22   

SECTION 2.05. [Intentionally Omitted]

     22   

SECTION 2.06. [Intentionally Omitted]

     22   

SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings

     22   

SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections

     22   

SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments

     23   

SECTION 2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     23   

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans

     24   

SECTION 2.12. Fees

     24   

SECTION 2.13. Interest

     25   

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest

     25   

SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs

     26   

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments

     26   

SECTION 2.17. Taxes

     27   

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

     30   

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     31   

SECTION 2.20. [Intentionally Omitted]

     32   

SECTION 2.21. Senior Debt

     32   

SECTION 2.22. Judgment Currency

     32   

SECTION 2.23. Defaulting Lenders

     33   

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     33   

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries

     33   

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability

     33   

SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     34   

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     34   

SECTION 3.05. Properties

     34   

SECTION 3.06. Litigation, Labor Matters and Environmental Matters

     34   

SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements;

     35   

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status

     35   

SECTION 3.09. Taxes

     35   

SECTION 3.10. ERISA

     35   

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure

     35   

SECTION 3.12. Federal Reserve Regulations

     35   

SECTION 3.13. No Default

     36   

SECTION 3.14. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

     36   


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS

     36   

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date

     36   

SECTION 4.02. Assumption.

     37   

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     38   

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information

     38   

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events

     39   

SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business

     39   

SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations

     39   

SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

     39   

SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     40   

SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Contractual Obligations

     40   

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds

     40   

SECTION 5.09. Subsidiary Guaranty

     40   

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     41   

SECTION 6.01. Subsidiary Indebtedness

     41   

SECTION 6.02. Liens

     42   

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales

     44   

SECTION 6.04. Transactions with Affiliates

     45   

SECTION 6.05. Financial Covenants

     45   

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     46   

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     48   

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     50   

SECTION 9.01. Notices

     50   

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments

     52   

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     53   

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns

     54   

SECTION 9.05. Survival

     58   

SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

     58   

SECTION 9.07. Severability

     58   

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff

     58   

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Immunity

     59   

SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     60   

SECTION 9.11. Headings

     60   

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality

     60   

SECTION 9.13. USA PATRIOT Act

     61   

SECTION 9.14. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     61   

SECTION 9.15. Release of Subsidiary Guarantors

     62   

SECTION 9.16. Interest Rate Limitation

     62   

SECTION 9.17. Attorney Representation

     63   

ARTICLE X PARENT GUARANTEE

     63   

 

ii


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

SCHEDULES:

Schedule 2.01 – Commitments

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A – Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B – Form of Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement

Exhibit C – List of Closing Documents

Exhibit D – Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

Exhibit E – Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit F – [Intentionally Omitted]

Exhibit G – [Intentionally Omitted]

Exhibit H-1 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships)

Exhibit H-2 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships)

Exhibit H-3 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships)

Exhibit H-4 – Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships)

Exhibit I-1 – Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit I-2 – Form of Interest Election Request

 

iii


LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of February 2, 2016 among NETAPP, INC., SONOMA HOLDINGS C.V., the LENDERS from time to time party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Syndication Agent and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, CITIBANK, N.A. and MUFG UNION BANK, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

The Parent has requested that the initial Lenders make Loans to the Parent in an aggregate principal amount of $870,000,000 on the Effective Date.

After the funding of the Loans on the Effective Date, in connection with the contribution to the Assuming Borrower of certain assets of Parent, the Parent shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02, within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date, execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to which, inter alia, the Parent shall assign and transfer to the Assuming Borrower, and the Assuming Borrower shall assume, all of the Parent’s rights and obligations as the Borrower (and solely in its capacity as the Borrower) under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (such assumption, the “Borrower Assumption”). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the Borrower Assumption, the Parent shall remain a party hereto (but not in its capacity as the Borrower) after the Borrower Assumption, and shall continue to be subject to and bound by all of the Parent’s representations, covenants, agreements and obligations (other than in its capacity as the Borrower) under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to a Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (including its branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.


Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agent Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

Aggregate Commitment” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all of the Lenders, as reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitment is $870,000,000.

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus  12 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period in Dollars on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day, subject to the interest rate floors set forth in the definition of the term “LIBO Rate”. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that, in the case of Section 2.23 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentage of any Lender shall be a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s outstanding principal amount of the Loans and the denominator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans of all Lenders, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan or any ABR Loan, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Eurodollar Spread” or “ABR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by Moody’s and S&P, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt:

 

     Index Debt Ratings
(Moody’s/S&P)
   Eurodollar
Spread
  ABR
Spread

Category 1:

   A2/A or higher    0.875%   0%

Category 2:

   A3/A-    1.00%   0%

Category 3:

   Baa1/BBB+    1.125%   0.125%

Category 4:

   Baa2/BBB    1.25%   0.25%

Category 5:

   Baa3/BBB- or lower    1.50%   0.50%

 

2


For purposes of the foregoing, (i) if neither Moody’s nor S&P shall have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this definition), then Category 5 shall be in effect; (ii) if only one of Moody’s or S&P provides a rating for the Index Debt, the Category corresponding to such rating shall be in effect; (iii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the higher of the two ratings unless one of the two ratings is two or more Categories lower than the other, in which case the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the Category next below that of the higher of the two ratings; and (iv) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s and S&P for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody’s or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Parent to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01 or otherwise. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moody’s or S&P shall change, or if both such rating agencies shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Parent and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Assuming Borrower” means Sonoma Holdings C.V.

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Parent or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

Banking Services Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Parent or any Subsidiary in connection with Banking Services.

Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental

 

3


Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Bond Hedge” means any hedging agreement that is settled (after payment of any premium or any prepayment thereunder) through the delivery of cash and/or of Equity Interests of the Parent and is entered into in connection with any Convertible Debt Securities in customary form (including, but not limited to, any bond hedge transaction, warrant transaction, or capped call transaction).

Borrower” means (a) prior to the execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Parent and (b) following the execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement (and receipt by the Administrative Agent of the legal opinions attached as Annexes A and B thereto), the Assuming Borrower.

Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement” means the Assignment and Assumption Agreement executed by the Parent and the Assuming Borrower, providing for the assignment and assumption of the Loans and Commitments, along with all other rights and duties as the “Borrower” hereunder by the Parent to the Assuming Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit B or as otherwise mutually acceptable to the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Borrower Assumption” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statements to this Agreement.

Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I-1.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollars in the London interbank market.

Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means, subject to the last sentence of Section 1.04(a), the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity

 

4


Interests of the Parent; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Parent by Persons who were neither (i) nominated or approved by the board of directors of the Parent nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated or approved; or (c) the Parent ceases to own, directly or indirectly, and Control 100% (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of the voting and economic power of the Assuming Borrower.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Co-Documentation Agent” means each of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Citibank, N.A. and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. in its capacity as co-documentation agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) terminated pursuant to Section 2.09 or (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated Debt for Borrowed Money” means at any time the sum, without duplication, of (i) items that, in accordance with GAAP (but subject to the last sentence of Section 1.04(a)), would be classified as indebtedness on the consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its Subsidiaries and (ii) the capitalized portion of any synthetic leases. For purposes of clause (ii) above, “capitalized portion” means, with respect to any synthetic lease, the price for which the lessee can purchase the leased property or could purchase it if the synthetic lease expired on the date of the applicable calculation of the Consolidated Debt for Borrowed Money.

 

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Consolidated EBITDA” means, with reference to any period, the sum of the following: (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus (b) without duplication and to the extent deducted from revenues in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued during such period, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation, (iv) amortization during such period, (v) share-based non-cash compensation expense, (vi) any other non-cash charges, non-cash expenses or non-cash losses of the Parent or any Subsidiaries for such period (excluding any such charge, expense or loss incurred in the ordinary course of business that constitutes an accrual of, or a reserve for, cash charges for any future period), (vii) any unusual, extraordinary, or non-recurring charges, expenses or losses determined in accordance with GAAP, (viii) to the extent actually reimbursed in cash, expenses incurred to the extent covered by indemnification provisions in any agreement in connection with any acquisition, (ix) acquisition-related expenses (including, but not limited to, intangibles, goodwill and contingent consideration), whether or not such acquisition is successful, (x) fees, costs and expenses related to (A) the Transactions and (B) the Parent’s issuance on December 12, 2012 of (1) those certain 2.00% senior notes due 2017 and (2) those certain 3.25% senior notes due 2022, and (xi) restructuring, integration and related charges (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, including future lease commitments, and costs to consolidate facilities and relocate employees) (provided that the aggregate cash portion of the amounts added back pursuant to the preceding clauses (vii) and (xi) shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the amount of Consolidated EBITDA for such period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent), minus without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, (c) interest income, (d) extraordinary non-cash gains realized other than in the ordinary course of business and (e) any cash payments made during such period in respect of any items added back pursuant to clauses (v) and (vi) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash item was incurred, all calculated for the Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period with respect to, without duplication, (i) all outstanding Indebtedness of the Parent and its Subsidiaries allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP and (ii) Swap Agreements (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and net costs under interest rate Swap Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP) for such period.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period.

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. A Person shall not be deemed to control another Person through the ability to exercise voting power unless such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Person.

 

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Convertible Debt Security” means debt securities, the terms of which provide for conversion into Equity Interests, cash by reference to such Equity Interests or a combination thereof.

Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans at such time.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent or any other Lender.

CRR” means the Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012.

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans or (ii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied or (b) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event.

Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits and proceedings and the environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06 to the Disclosure Letter.

Disclosure Letter” means the disclosure letter from the Parent dated as of the date hereof, as amended or supplemented from time to time by the Parent with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, delivered to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or in the District of Columbia.

Dutch Borrower” means the Assuming Borrower.

Dutch Non-Public Lender” means: (i) until the publication of an interpretation of “public” as referred to in the CRR by the competent authority/ies: an entity which (x) assumes existing rights and/or obligations vis-à-vis the Dutch Borrower, the value of which is at least €100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency), (y) provides repayable funds for an initial amount of at least €100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) or (z) otherwise qualifies as not forming part of the public; and (ii) as soon as the interpretation of the term “public” as referred to in the CRR has been published by the relevant authority/ies: an entity which is not considered to form part of the public on the basis of such interpretation.

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02), which date is February 2, 2016.

 

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Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and any of its Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or notices issued or promulgated by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to employee health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Parent or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, (i) Convertible Debt Securities shall not for purposes of this definition be deemed to be an Equity Interest and (ii) Bond Hedges shall not for purposes of this definition be deemed to be an Equity Interest.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Parent, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Parent or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Parent or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Parent or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Parent or any of its ERISA Affiliates of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

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Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, means that such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means (i) SolidFire, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (ii) its successor, SolidFire, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ((i) and (ii) collectively, “SolidFire”), and any Domestic Subsidiary that is or becomes a direct parent of the Assuming Borrower and owns no assets other than equity interest in the Assuming Borrower.

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation. If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that otherwise are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Parent under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Recipient changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Recipient’s assignor immediately before such Recipient acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Recipient immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement between the government of the United States and the jurisdiction in which the applicable Recipient is resident implementing such provisions of the Code and regulations, and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate.

 

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Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, controller or vice president of corporate finance of the Parent.

Financials” means the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates and other documents, of the Parent and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b).

Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or any indemnification obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determined amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee, or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof determined by such Person in good faith.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, friable asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

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Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding (i) accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) obligations which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with GAAP), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (j) the Net Mark-to Market Exposure of all Swap Obligations of such Person, and (k) any other Off-Balance Sheet Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in connection with any acquisition by the Parent or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder (or any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Parent or any Subsidiary permitted hereunder), the term “Indebtedness” shall not include contingent consideration to which the seller in such acquisition (or the buyer in such sale, transfer or other disposition, as the case may be) may become entitled or contingent indemnity obligations that may be owed to such seller (or buyer, if applicable) in respect thereof. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.

Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Parent that is not guaranteed by any other person or entity or subject to any other credit enhancement.

Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Information Memorandum” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated January 2016 relating to the Borrower and the Transactions.

Interest Coverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent ending on or about January 29, 2016 and each fiscal quarter of the Parent ending thereafter, of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case for the period of 4 consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter.

Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I-2.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date.

 

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Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect, or such other period as is requested by the Borrower and is acceptable to each Lender; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBOR Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBOR Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBOR Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBOR Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Leverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Parent ending on or about January 29, 2016 and each fiscal quarter of the Parent ending thereafter, of Consolidated Debt for Borrowed Money as of the end of such fiscal quarter to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of 4 consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter.

LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen or, in the event such rate does not appear on either of such Reuters pages, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion (in each case the “LIBOR Screen Rate”) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that if a LIBOR Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (the “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period shall be the Interpolated Rate; provided, that, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement. It is understood and agreed that all of the terms and conditions of this definition of “LIBO Rate” shall be subject to Section 2.14.

 

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LIBOR Screen Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or other security interest in, on or of such asset and (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, any promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.10(e), the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement and any and all other instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Local Time” means New York City time.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (c) the rights of or benefits available to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Parent or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Parent or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Material Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary (a) which, as of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Parent, for the period covering the then most recently ended fiscal year and the portion of the then current fiscal year ending at the end of such fiscal quarter, for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01, contributed greater than five percent (5%) of the Parent’s consolidated revenues for such period or (b) which contributed greater than five percent (5%) of the Parent’s Consolidated Total Assets as of such date.

Maturity Date” means November 2, 2016.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

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Net Mark-to-Market Exposure” of a Person means, as of any date of determination, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from each Swap Agreement transaction. “Unrealized losses” means the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing such transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such transaction were to be terminated as of that date), and “unrealized profits” means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such transaction was to be terminated as of that date).

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Assuming Borrower, the Parent and its Subsidiaries to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Swap Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof; provided that the definition of “Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, obligations arising from Bond Hedges and letter of credit facilities that are not under this Agreement shall not be considered Obligations.

OFAC” means Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Off-Balance Sheet Liability” of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person that is related to retained credit risk, or (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any so-called “synthetic lease” transaction entered into by such Person.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

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Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).

Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

Parent” means NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes or other governmental charges that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;

(f) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Parent or any Subsidiary;

(g) leases or subleases granted to other Persons and not interfering in any material respect with the business of the lessor or sublessor;

 

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(h) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code filings or similar filings relating to operating leases;

(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection within the importation of goods;

(j) licenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

(k) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real property or personal property; and

(l) Liens created pursuant to the general conditions of a bank operating in the Netherlands based on the general conditions drawn up by the Netherlands Bankers’ Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) and the Consumers Union (Consumentenbond);

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) any Lender, as applicable.

Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective partners, trustees, administrators, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Credit Exposures representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Credit Exposures at such time.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any sale or other transfer of assets or property by any Person with the intent to lease any such asset or property as lessee.

 

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Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Sonoma Holdings C.V.” means Sonoma Holdings LLC acting in its capacity as general partner and in the name of Sonoma Holdings C.V., a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap), established under Netherlands law, with address at 495 East Java Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States of America, and registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 65185889, such general partner being a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

Specified Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Parent of SolidFire, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Specified Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D of the Board. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D of the Board or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Parent or any Subsidiary the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other

 

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corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Parent (including the Assuming Borrower).

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary and party to the Subsidiary Guaranty, but excluding any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary. The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 3.01 to the Disclosure Letter.

Subsidiary Guaranty” means that certain Guaranty in the form of Exhibit D (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor, and any other guaranty agreements as are requested by the Administrative Agent and its counsel, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, either generally or under specific contingencies.

Swap Obligations” of a Person means any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any such Swap Agreement transaction.

Syndication Agent” means Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as syndication agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the applicable Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions hereunder, the use of the proceeds thereof, the Specified Acquisition and the Borrower Assumption.

Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

 

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wholly-owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, 100% of the Equity Interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent, other than any directors’ qualifying shares as required by law or shares held by nominees on behalf of the Parent or any Subsidiary as required by law.

Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations. (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Parent notifies the Administrative Agent that the Parent requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Parent that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith; provided, further, that in the event that the Parent requests such an amendment, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to evaluate such proposed amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or

 

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financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Parent or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein, (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof and (iii) in a manner such that any obligations relating to a lease that was accounted for by such Person as an operating lease as of the Effective Date and any similar lease entered into after the Effective Date by such Person shall be accounted for as obligations relating to an operating lease and not as Capital Lease Obligations.

(b) All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder to determine whether such acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other such transaction consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation) as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of (but without giving effect to any synergies or cost savings) and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

SECTION 1.05. Dutch Terms. In any Loan Document, where it relates to a party incorporated or established under the laws of the Netherlands, a reference to (a) a security interest includes any mortgage (hypotheek), pledge (pandrecht), retention-of-title arrangement (recht van retentie), right to reclaim goods (recht van reclame), privilege (voorrecht) and, in general, any right in rem (beperkt recht) created for the purpose of granting security (goederenrechtelijk zekerheidsrecht), (b) a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy includes a curator (c) an attachment includes a beslag and attaching or taking possession of (any of those terms) includes beslag leggen, (c) gross negligence means grove schuld, and (d) indemnify means vrijwaren.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01. Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender (severally and not jointly) agrees to make Loans to the Borrower in Dollars on the Effective Date in an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment. Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01 and repaid may not be reborrowed. Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided, however, unless the Borrower has executed and delivered a funding indemnification letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, all Borrowings made on the Effective Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans but may be converted into Eurodollar Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $1,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Loans other than the initial Loans on the Effective Date and shall not be entitled to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

(e) Any Loan to the Dutch Borrower shall at all times be provided by a Lender that is a Dutch Non-Public Lender.

SECTION 2.03. Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (a) by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) by telephone or by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

(iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

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(v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

SECTION 2.04. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 2.05. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 2.06. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 2.07. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make the Loan to be made by it hereunder on the Effective Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent or such other account as is designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08. Interest Elections. (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election (by telephone or irrevocable written notice) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of

 

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the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit the Borrower to (i) elect an Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d) or (ii) convert any Borrowing to a Borrowing of a Type not available under such Borrowing.

(c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate at 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Effective Date.

SECTION 2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of the Loan on the Maturity Date.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

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(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be, absent manifest error, prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

SECTION 2.11. Prepayment of Loans.

(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.11(a). The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or electronic communications pursuant to Section 9.01(b)) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days, before the date of prepayment or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that a notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified prepayment date) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans outstanding at such time and included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16.

SECTION 2.12. Fees. (a) The Parent agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Parent and the Administrative Agent.

(b) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

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SECTION 2.13. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or

(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and any such Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.

 

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SECTION 2.15. Increased Costs. (a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate);

(ii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or participation therein; or

(iii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Recipient hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise, then the Borrower will pay to such Recipient such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Recipient for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, such Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(a) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan

 

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other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty (30) days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17. Taxes. (a) Payments Made Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding for Indemnified Taxes has been made (including such deductions and withholdings for Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding for Indemnified Taxes been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

(c) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to

 

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such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person:

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

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(2) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

(i) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

 

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(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account over which the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section; in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

SECTION 2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the

 

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future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under the Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

SECTION 2.20. [Intentionally Omitted].

SECTION 2.21. Senior Debt. The Parent hereby designates all Obligations now or hereinafter incurred or otherwise outstanding, and agrees that the Obligations shall at all times constitute, senior indebtedness and designated senior indebtedness, or terms of similar import, which are entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions of all Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 2.22. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from the Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of the Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency, the Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Lender under Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to the Borrower.

 

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SECTION 2.23. Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

The Parent represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required. Schedule 3.01 to the Disclosure Letter identifies each Subsidiary, if such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class in its capital or other equity interests owned by the Parent and the other Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ qualifying shares as required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding shares in its capital and other equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares and other equity interests indicated on Schedule 3.01 to the Disclosure Letter as owned by the Parent or another Subsidiary are owned, beneficially, legally and/or of record, by the Parent or any Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances. Except as indicated on Schedule 3.01 to the Disclosure Letter, as of the Effective Date, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of any Subsidiary to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class in its capital or other equity interests of any Subsidiary. For the purposes of the Council of the European Union Regulations No. 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings dated May 29, 2000 (as amended from time to time, the “Regulation”), the Dutch Borrower’s centre of main interests (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in its jurisdiction of incorporation and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction. There is no works council with jurisdiction over the transaction as envisaged by any Loan Document to which the Dutch Borrower is a party and there is no obligation for the Dutch Borrower to establish a works council pursuant to the Dutch Works Council Act (Wet op de Ondernemingsraden).

SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder or shareholder action. The Loan Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and the filing of the certificate of merger in connection with the Specified Acquisition, (b) will not violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Loan Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding upon the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The Parent has heretofore furnished to the Lenders (i) its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended April 24, 2015 reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) its condensed consolidated balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows as of and for the fiscal quarter (other than the statement of cash flows) and the portion of the fiscal year ended October 30, 2015, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b) Since April 24, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

(b) Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and, to the Parent’s knowledge, the use thereof by the Parent and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.06. Litigation, Labor Matters and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Parent, threatened in writing against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

(b) There are no labor controversies pending against or, to the knowledge of the Parent, threatened in writing against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

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SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements;. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is party or subject to any law, regulation, rule or order, or any obligation under any agreement or instrument, that has had, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.08. Investment Company Status. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Parent or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. The Parent has disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, when taken together with the Parent’s filings with the SEC, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the written reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information (other than projections or forward-involving information and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) furnished by or on behalf of the Parent or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains, when furnished and taken as a whole, and taken as a whole with the Parent’s filings with the SEC, any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information or results, the Parent represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time (it being understood that such projected financial information are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and that no assurances can be given that any particular projected financial information will be realized and that variances between actual results and projected financial results can be material).

SECTION 3.12. Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Parent only or of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 6.02 or Section 6.03 or subject to any restriction contained in any Loan Document will be “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U.

 

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SECTION 3.13. No Default. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 3.14. Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Parent has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Parent, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Parent, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and to the knowledge of the Parent its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in each case in all material respects. None of (a) the Parent, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Parent or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Parent, any agent of the Parent or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing, use of proceeds or other Transactions will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) from each initial Subsidiary Guarantor (if any) either (A) a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty signed on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of the Subsidiary Guaranty) that such Subsidiary Guarantor has signed a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of (i) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC, special financing counsel for the Loan Parties, (ii) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special securities counsel for the Loan Parties and (iii) DLA Piper Nederland N.V., special Dutch counsel for the Assuming Borrower, in each case covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Borrower hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the incorporation or organization, existence and (if applicable) good standing of the initial Loan Parties, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to such Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list of closing documents attached as Exhibit C.

 

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(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the Chief Executive Officer or a Financial Officer, certifying that: (i) the representations and warranties of the Parent set forth in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Effective Date, except, in each case, to the extent such representation and warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date and (ii) on and as of the Effective Date no Default has occurred and is continuing.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that Specified Acquisition shall be consummated substantially concurrently with the closing and funding of the Loans pursuant hereto on the Effective Date.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees (including fees for the account of the Lenders) and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced at least one (1) Business Day prior to the Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

SECTION 4.02. Assumption. The Borrower Assumption shall not become effective until the date (which shall be a date occurring within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party thereto either (A) a counterpart of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the effective date of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement) of (i) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC, special financing counsel for the Loan Parties, (ii) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special securities counsel for the Loan Parties and (iii) DLA Piper Nederland N.V., special Dutch counsel for the Assuming Borrower, in each case in substantially the form as approved by counsel to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, for the Assuming Borrower.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and the Lenders of the effective date of the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

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ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Parent covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information. The Parent will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized international standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification, explanatory paragraph or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

(b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent, its condensed consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter (other than the statement of cash flows) and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a compliance certificate of a Financial Officer of the Parent in the form of Exhibit E hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.05 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Parent or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Parent to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(e) promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change; and

 

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(f) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Parent or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

Reports or financial information required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a), 5.01(b) or 5.01(d) (to the extent any such financial statements, reports, proxy statements or other materials are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Parent posts such report or provides a link thereto on its website on the internet; provided that Parent shall provide paper copies to the Administrative Agent of the compliance certificates required by Section 5.01(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent shall deliver paper copies of any financial statement referred to in Section 5.01 to the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent requests the Parent to furnish such paper copies until written notice to cease delivering such paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Parent will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Parent setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03. The Parent will cause the Assuming Borrower to elect to be (or to be wholly owned by and disregarded as an entity separate from) an entity classified as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and to remain as such at all times.

SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Parent or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so

 

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could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made in all material respects and sufficient to prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested (but not more than once per calendar year unless an Event of Default exists). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Parent nor its Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose or discuss, or permit the inspection, examination or making of extracts of any document, book, record or other matter that (i) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or their representatives is then prohibited by applicable law or any agreement binding on Parent or its Subsidiaries or (iii) is protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege or the attorney work product privilege.

SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws and Contractual Obligations. The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority (including without limitation Environmental Laws), and all agreements and other contractual instruments, applicable to it or its property, in each case except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Parent will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Parent, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only to finance the Specified Acquisition and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Specified Acquisition. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Parent only or of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 6.02 or Section 6.03 or subject to any restriction contained in any Loan Document will be “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U. The Borrower will not request any Borrowing, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that the Parent and its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

SECTION 5.09. Subsidiary Guaranty. On the Effective Date, the Parent shall cause each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary (excluding any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) to become a Subsidiary Guarantor. Subsequent to the Effective Date, as promptly as possible but in any event within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after

 

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any Domestic Subsidiary (excluding any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) qualifies as a Material Subsidiary is required to become, or is designated by the Parent as, a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Parent shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person and shall cause each such Subsidiary to deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty (in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions of thereof, such Subsidiary Guaranty to be accompanied by appropriate corporate resolutions, other corporate documentation and legal opinions in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, the Parent covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01. Subsidiary Indebtedness. The Parent will not permit any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Obligations and any other Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 to the Disclosure Letter and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements;

(c) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary to the Parent or any other Subsidiary;

(d) Guarantees by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Parent or any other Subsidiary;

(e) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvements of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets (and additions, accessions, parts, improvement and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements; provided that such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 120 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement; and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(f) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar

 

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type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements;

(g) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary as an account party in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and bankers’ acceptances;

(h) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements;

(i) Indebtedness with respect to surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds in the ordinary course of business or with respect to agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-out payments, earnest money or similar obligations in connection with any acquisitions, or any dispositions permitted by Section 6.03 or other uses provided for in clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances;

(j) Indebtedness arising from the honoring of a check, draft or similar instrument against insufficient funds or from the endorsement of instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(k) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply agreements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(m) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries which are not Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $400,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (calculated as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and determined at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness by reference to the Parent’s financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) at any time outstanding;

(n) Indebtedness arising under a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Article 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code); and

(o) other Indebtedness of any Subsidiary which is a Loan Party so long as, at the time of the incurrence thereof and after giving effect thereto (on a pro forma basis), the Parent is in pro forma compliance with the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.05(a).

SECTION 6.02. Liens. The Parent will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it (and for purposes hereof, any capital stock issued by the Parent which is held by the Parent as treasury stock shall not be deemed to be property or an asset of the Parent and shall not be subject to this Section 6.02), except:

(a) Permitted Encumbrances;

 

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(b) any Lien on any property or asset (and any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) of the Parent or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02 to the Disclosure Letter; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset (other than any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) of the Parent or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such obligations with obligations of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements;

(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset (and any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) prior to the acquisition thereof by the Parent or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset (and any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets (other than any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) of the Parent or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such obligations with obligations of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements;

(d) Liens on fixed or capital assets (and additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof) acquired, constructed or improved by the Parent or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within one hundred twenty (120) days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Parent or any Subsidiary (other than any additions, accessions, parts, improvements and attachments thereto and the proceeds thereof);

(e) customary bankers’ Liens and rights of setoff arising by operation of law or contract and incurred on deposits made in the ordinary course of business or on deposit or securities accounts;

(f) assignments of the right to receive income effected (i) as a part of the sale of a Subsidiary or a business unit or (ii) for factoring in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(g) Liens on any cash earnest money deposit made by the Parent or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or acquisition agreement that is not prohibited by this Agreement;

(h) customary Liens granted in favor of a trustee to secure fees and other amounts owing to such trustee under an indenture or other agreement pursuant to Indebtedness not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement;

(i) Liens against properties leased or covered under Parent’s synthetic lease facilities to secure Parent’s obligations under the documents governing such facilities, or granted against any such property to secure Indebtedness incurred to repay any such facility or purchase any such property and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such obligations with obligations of a similar type that does not increase the then outstanding principal amount thereof except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements;

(j) Liens securing reasonable and customary fees for services in favor of banks, securities intermediaries or other depository institutions;

(k) Liens on cash collateral and other property delivered to or received by an issuer or bank in connection with a letter of credit, bank guarantee or bankers’ acceptance, securing reimbursement obligations with respect to such letters of credit, bank guarantees and bankers’ acceptances, and Liens on cash collateral or margin posted for obligations arising under Swap Agreements, in each case, that are not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement and are in respect of transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(l) Liens on insurance proceeds securing the premium of financed insurance proceeds; and

(m) other Liens on assets securing Indebtedness or other obligations not prohibited hereunder in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $400,000,000 and (ii) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (calculated as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and determined at the time of the granting of such Lien by reference to the Parent’s financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)) at any time outstanding.

SECTION 6.03. Fundamental Changes and Asset Sales. (a) The Parent will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into, consolidate with, or otherwise be acquired by, any other Person, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries (in each case, whether now owned or here-after acquired, and for purposes hereof, any capital stock issued by the Parent which is held by the Parent as treasury stock shall not be deemed to be property or an asset of the Parent and shall not be subject to this Section 6.03), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Subsidiary may merge into a Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is or becomes a Loan Party (provided that (x) subject to the following clause (y), any such merger involving the Assuming Borrower must result in the Assuming Borrower as the surviving entity and (y) Parent must result in the Parent as the surviving entity), (ii) any wholly-owned Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any wholly-owned

 

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Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a wholly-owned Subsidiary and no Person other than the Parent or a wholly-owned Subsidiary receives any consideration, provided that if any such merger described in this clause (ii) shall involve (x) subject to the following clause (y), a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such merger shall be or shall become a Loan Party and (y) the Assuming Borrower must result in the Assuming Borrower as the surviving entity, (iii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to a Loan Party or any wholly-owned Subsidiary pursuant to a transaction not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, (iv) any Subsidiary (other than the Assuming Borrower) may liquidate or dissolve if the Parent determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Parent, (v) the Parent may merge with any other Person so long as the Parent is the surviving entity, (vi) any Subsidiary (other than the Assuming Borrower) may merge with any other Person so long as the surviving entity is, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantor, and in all other cases, a wholly-owned Subsidiary, (vii) any Subsidiary other than the Assuming Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor may merge into, Parent or any Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries other than the Assuming Borrower or a Material Subsidiary to, and Parent or any Subsidiary may dispose of assets to, any other Person so long as Parent delivers a certificate to the Administrative Agent demonstrating pro forma compliance with Section 6.05 after giving effect to such transaction and (viii) the Parent may transfer the stock (or other equity interests) of any Subsidiary held by the Parent to any wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that any such transfer of the stock (or other equity interests) of any Domestic Subsidiary that is, or that would otherwise be required to be, a Subsidiary Guarantor may only be made to a Subsidiary Guarantor.

(b) The Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Parent and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

(c) The Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year to end on a day other than as such fiscal year end is currently determined or change the Parent’s method of determining fiscal quarters.

SECTION 6.04. Transactions with Affiliates. The Parent will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Parent or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among the Parent and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate that is not a Subsidiary, (c) indemnification arrangements, employee agreements, compensation arrangements (including equity-based compensation) and reimbursement of expenses of current or former officers and directors, (d) extraordinary retention, bonus or similar arrangements approved by the Parent’s board of directors (or a committee thereof) and (e) the Borrower Assumption.

SECTION 6.05. Financial Covenants.

(a) Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Parent will not permit the Leverage Ratio to be greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

(b) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. The Parent will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

(c) any written representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any written report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) (i) the Parent shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to the Parent’s existence or the Assuming Borrower’s existence or treatment as a corporation (or a disregarded entity wholly owned by a foreign corporation) for U.S. federal income tax purposes), 5.08 or 5.09 or in Article VI, (ii) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Section 5.08 or (iii) any Loan Document shall for any reason not be or shall cease to be in full force and effect or is declared to be null and void, or the Parent or any Subsidiary takes any action for the purpose of terminating, repudiating or rescinding any Loan Document or any of its obligations thereunder;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Parent (which notice will be given at the request of the Required Lenders);

(f) the Parent or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment of principal or interest in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after giving effect to any applicable grace period;

(g) with respect to any Material Indebtedness, any event or condition occurs that results in such Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity (other than by regularly scheduled redemptions or by conversion of any convertible debt instrument pursuant to its terms unless such redemption or conversion results from a default thereunder or an event of the type that constitutes an Event of Default) or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (x) secured Indebtedness that becomes

 

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due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (y) any redemption, repurchase, conversion or settlement with respect to any Convertible Debt Security pursuant to its terms unless such redemption, repurchase, conversion or settlement results from a default thereunder or an event of the type that constitutes an Event of Default or (z) any early payment requirement or unwinding or termination with respect to any Swap Agreement, including any Bond Hedge;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, except if a bankruptcy is declared (faillissement is uitgesproken) under the Dutch Bankruptcy Act (Faillissementswet), such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000,000 (to the extent not covered by a creditworthy insurer that has not denied coverage), shall be rendered against the Parent, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor holding a judgment in excess of $100,000,000 to attach or levy upon any assets of the Parent or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(m) a Change in Control shall occur;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Parent or the Assuming Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Parent and the Assuming Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any

 

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principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued under the Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent and the Assuming Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Parent or the Assuming Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Obligations accrued under the Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Parent and the Assuming Borrower. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” as used herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Parent or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of

 

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competent jurisdiction. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for one or more of the Loan Parties), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Parent and the Assuming Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Parent, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Parent and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Parent, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

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Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and not investments in a business enterprise or securities. Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Parent and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a Lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.

None of the Lenders, if any, identified in this Agreement as a Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders in their respective capacities as Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agents, as applicable, as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.

The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Administrative Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Lenders to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Loan after the date such principal or interest has become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01. Notices. (a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

(i) if to the Parent or the Assuming Borrower, to it at 495 East Java Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, Attention of Christopher Afarian, Treasurer (Telecopy No. (408) 822-4455);

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, 7th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Teresita Siao (Telecopy No. (888) 292-9533), with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 270 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention of Timothy D. Lee (Telecopy No. (917) 464-6338); and

(iii) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent, the Parent or the Assuming Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d) Electronic Systems.

(i) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

(ii) Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Parent, the

 

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Assuming Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages). “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

SECTION 9.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Parent or the Assuming Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and the Required Lenders or by the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender or (vi) (x) release the Parent from its obligations under Article X or (y) release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their respective obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Parent and the Assuming Borrower (x) to add one or more credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the

 

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accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.

(d) If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender directly affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but not obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Borrower may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Parent and the Assuming Borrower only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Parent shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, and one counsel for all the Lenders other than the Administrative Agent, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) The Parent shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (which, in the case of fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, shall be limited to the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of (i) one primary counsel, and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, for the Administrative Agent, its Affiliates and related Indemnitees (taken as a whole) and (ii) one additional counsel, and one additional counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, for all the Lenders and other Indemnitees (taken as a whole)) incurred by or

 

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asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by the Parent or any other Loan Party or its or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) the material breach by such Indemnitee of its express obligations under this Agreement pursuant to a claim initiated by the Parent or (z) any dispute solely among Indemnitees (not arising as a result of an act or omission by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) other than claims against any of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or any of their Affiliates in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as the Administrative Agent a lead arranger, a bookrunner, a syndication agent or any similar role under this Agreement). Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and its related Indemnitees, that any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, respectively, and its related Indemnitee in connection with a claim or proceeding for which an indemnity claim is made against the Parent pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be so entered into in good faith and not on an arbitrary or capricious basis. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) To the extent that the Parent fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that the Parent’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Parent of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither the Parent nor the Assuming Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet), or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) neither the Parent nor the Assuming Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations (in any capacity) hereunder without the prior written consent of

 

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each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Parent or the Assuming Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), other than as expressly provided pursuant to the Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A) the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof); provided, further, that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee; and

(B) the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, such fee to be paid by either the assigning Lender or the assignee Lender or shared between such Lenders;

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Parent and its affiliates, the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and

 

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(E) any assignment or transfer to or assumption by any Person of all or a portion of a Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments or Loans) with respect to the Dutch Borrower shall only be permitted if such Person is a Dutch Non-Public Lender.

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) the Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates, or (d) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof.

(i) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(ii) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(iii) Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative

 

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Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged; (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations; and (C) the Parent, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(d) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

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SECTION 9.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

SECTION 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent.

SECTION 9.07. Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 9.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or

 

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demand, provisional or final and in whatever currency denominated) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor against any of and all of the Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

SECTION 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process; Waiver of Immunity. (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

(b) Each of the Parent and the Assuming Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Parent, the Assuming Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each of the Parent and the Assuming Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) (i) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

(ii) The Assuming Borrower irrevocably designates and appoints the Parent, as its authorized agent, to accept and acknowledge on its behalf, service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(b) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City. The Parent hereby represents, warrants and confirms that the Parent has agreed to accept such appointment (and any similar appointment by the Assuming Borrower). Said designation and appointment shall be irrevocable by the Assuming Borrower until all Loans, interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Assuming Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof. The Assuming Borrower hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(b) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City by service of process upon the Parent as provided in this Section 9.09(d); provided that, to the extent lawful and possible, notice of said service upon such agent shall be mailed by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Parent and (if applicable to) the Assuming Borrower at its address set forth in Section 9.01(a) or to any other address of which the Assuming Borrower shall have

 

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given written notice to the Administrative Agent (with a copy thereof to the Parent). The Assuming Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all claim of error by reason of any such service in such manner and agrees that such service shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Assuming Borrower in any such suit, action or proceeding and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid and personal service upon and personal delivery to the Assuming Borrower. To the extent the Assuming Borrower has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether from service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment, execution or otherwise), the Assuming Borrower hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the Loan Documents. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

SECTION 9.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

SECTION 9.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) (in which case each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or order, to inform the Parent promptly of the disclosure thereof and to the extent practicable, prior thereto), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws, rules or regulations or by any subpoena or order or similar legal process (in which case each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, rule, regulation or order, to inform the Parent promptly of the disclosure thereof and to the extent practicable, prior thereto), (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and their respective obligations or to any credit insurance provider relating to the Parent, the Assuming Borrower and their respective obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating the Parent or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the

 

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CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Parent or (i) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or any agreement contemplated by clause (f) of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source that is not, to the knowledge of the Administrative Agent or such Lender respectively, subject to confidentiality obligations owing to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and prohibiting such disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall be required to provide notice of any permitted disclosures made in connection with any regulatory review of the Administrative Agent or such Lender by any governmental agency or regulatory body with jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or such Lender. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Parent or any Subsidiary relating to their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Parent or such Subsidiary and other than information pertaining to the terms of and parties to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PARENT AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE PARENT, THE ASSUMING BORROWER OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARENT AND ITS AFFILIATES, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES) AND ITS SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE PARENT, THE ASSUMING BORROWER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.

SECTION 9.13. USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Act.

SECTION 9.14. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A)

 

61


the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Lenders and their Affiliates is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except, in the case of a Lender, those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) each of the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against each of the Lenders and their Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

SECTION 9.15. Release of Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a) A Subsidiary Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Further, the Administrative Agent may (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of the Parent, release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty if such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Material Subsidiary.

(c) At such time as the principal and interest on the Loans, the fees, expenses and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents and the other Obligations (other than obligations under any Swap Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement, and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments shall have been terminated, the Subsidiary Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Subsidiary Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

SECTION 9.16. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans

 

62


or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 9.17. Attorney Representation. If the Dutch Borrower or another Loan Party incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands is represented by an attorney in connection with the signing and/or execution of the Agreement and/or any other Loan Document it is hereby expressly acknowledged and accepted by the parties to the Agreement and/or any other Loan Document that the existence and extent of the attorney’s authority and the effects of the attorney’s exercise or purported exercise of his or her authority shall be governed by the laws of the Netherlands.

ARTICLE X

Parent Guarantee

In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the Assuming Borrower hereunder and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the Parent hereby absolutely and irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees the payment when and as due of the Obligations. The Parent further agrees that the due and punctual payment of the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of any Obligation.

The Parent waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of the Obligations, and also waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, notice of acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment. The obligations of the Parent hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary under the provisions of any Banking Services Agreement, any Swap Agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any of the Obligations; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or release from, any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Banking Services Agreement, any Swap Agreement or other agreement; (d) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Obligations; (e) the failure of any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Obligations, if any; (f) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of the Assuming Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations; (g) the enforceability or validity of the Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against the Assuming Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Obligations, for any reason related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Banking Services Agreement, any Swap Agreement, or any provision of applicable law, decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by the Assuming Borrower, such Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Obligations, of any of the Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Obligations; or (h) any other act, omission or delay to do any other act which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Parent or otherwise operate as a discharge of a guarantor as a matter of law or equity or which would impair or eliminate any right of the Parent to subrogation.

 

63


The Parent further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right to require that any resort be had by any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in favor of the Assuming Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person.

The obligations of the Parent hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Obligations or otherwise.

The Parent confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations under this Article X.

The Parent further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Obligation (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must otherwise be restored or returned by any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a holder of Obligations in its discretion).

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) may have at law or in equity against the Parent by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, the Parent hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates), forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to such applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) in cash an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of such Obligations then due, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The Parent further agrees that if payment in respect of any Obligation shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and/or at a place of payment other than New York, Chicago or any other office, branch, affiliate or correspondent bank of the applicable Lender for such currency and if, by reason of any Change in Law, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Obligation in such currency or at such place of payment shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates), disadvantageous to such applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates) in any material respect, then, at the election of such applicable Lender, the Parent shall make payment of such Obligation in Dollars (based upon the applicable Dollar equivalent amount in effect on the date of payment as reasonably determined by such Lender or its Affiliate) and/or in New York, Chicago or such other city as is designated by such applicable Lender (or its Affiliate) and, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify such applicable Lender (and any of its Affiliates) against any losses or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

Upon payment by the Parent of any sums as provided above, all rights of the Parent against the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the amounts owed by the Assuming Borrower or such Subsidiary to the applicable Lender (or its applicable Affiliates). In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parent will not assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of

 

64


subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against the Assuming Borrower or any Subsidiary or any collateral, until the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the amounts owed by the Assuming Borrower or such Subsidiary to the applicable Lender (or its applicable Affiliates).

The Parent hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Subsidiary Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that the Parent shall only be liable under this paragraph for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this paragraph or otherwise under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The Parent intends that this paragraph constitute, and this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Nothing shall discharge or satisfy the liability of the Parent hereunder except the full performance and payment in cash of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements, in each case not yet due and payable).

At such time as the principal and interest on the Loans, the fees, expenses and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents and the other Obligations (other than obligations under any Swap Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement, in each case not yet due and payable, and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments shall have been terminated, the foregoing guarantee by Parent and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of Parent thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

65


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

NETAPP, INC.,
as the Parent and the initial Borrower
By  

/s/ Jeffrey Bergmann

Name:   Jeffrey Bergmann
Title:   Interim Chief Financial Officer

SONOMA HOLDINGS C.V.,

as the Assuming Borrower

By  

/s/ Matthew K. Fawcett

Name:   Matthew K. Fawcett
Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender and as Administrative Agent
By  

/s/ Timothy D. Lee

Name:   Timothy D. Lee
Title:   Vice President
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually as a Lender and as Syndication Agent
By  

/s/ Arti Dighe

Name:   Arti Dighe
Title:   Vice President
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, individually as a Lender and as Co-Documentation Agent
By  

/s/ Karen Byler

Name:   Karen Byler
Title:   Senior Vice President

Signature Page to Loan Agreement

NetApp, Inc.


CITIBANK, N.A., individually as a Lender and as Co-Documentation Agent
By  

/s/ Jake Rapaport

Name:   Jake Rapaport
Title:   Vice President
MUFG UNION BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender and as Co-Documentation Agent
By  

/s/ Lillian Kim

Name:   Lillian Kim
Title:   Director
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender
By  

/s/ Rebecca Kratz

Name:   Rebecca Kratz
Title:   Authorized Signatory
MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as a Lender
By  

/s/ Michael King

Name:   Michael King
Title:   Vice President
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, as a Lender
By  

/s/ Steven Aloupis

Name:   Steven Aloupis A2388
Title:   Managing Director, Capital Markets


SCHEDULE 2.01

COMMITMENTS

 

LENDER

   COMMITMENT  

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

   $ 202,500,000   

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

   $ 202,500,000   

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

   $ 100,000,000   

CITIBANK, N.A.

   $ 100,000,000   

MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

   $ 100,000,000   

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

   $ 55,000,000   

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

   $ 55,000,000   

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

   $ 55,000,000   

AGGREGATE COMMITMENT

   $ 870,000,000   


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement identified below (as amended, restated, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Loan Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Loan Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any guarantees included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Loan Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:   
2.    Assignee:                                                                 
      [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1]
3.    Borrower(s):    NetApp, Inc. (to be succeeded by Sonoma Holdings C.V. as the Assuming Borrower defined in the Loan Agreement)
4.    Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Loan Agreement
5.    Loan Agreement:    The Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 among NetApp, Inc., Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

 

1  Select as applicable.


6. Assigned Interest:

 

Aggregate Amount of

Commitment/Loans for all

Lenders

   Amount of Commitment/Loans
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment/Loans2
 

$

   $           %   

$

   $           %   

$

   $           %   

Effective Date:              , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Loan Parties and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

 

Title:  
ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

 

Title:  

 

Consented to and Accepted:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

2  Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

2


[Consented to:]3
[BORROWER]
By:  

 

Title:  

 

 

3  To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Loan Agreement.

 

3


ANNEX I

[                    ]1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2 Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Loan Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Loan Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Loan Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment

 

1 

Describe Loan Agreement at option of Administrative Agent.


and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Electronic System shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

2


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF BORROWER ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of [            ], 2016, is among NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as assignor (“Assignor”), Sonoma Holdings LLC acting in its capacity as general partner and in the name of Sonoma Holdings C.V., a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap), established under Netherlands law, with address at 495 East Java Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States of America, and registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 65185889, such general partner being a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent, as assignee (“Assignee”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity and together with its successors and assigns, the “Administrative Agent”) for itself and the Lenders under the Loan Agreement referred to below (the “Lenders”).

RECITAL:

Assignor, Assignee, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are parties to that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified through the date hereof, the “Loan Agreement”), under which the Lenders extended a term loan to the Assignor. In connection with the contribution to the Assignee of certain assets of Assignor, Assignee will become the Borrower under the Loan Agreement following the execution and delivery of this Agreement (and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Loan Agreement) to the Administrative Agent.

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained in this Agreement and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows.

SECTION 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms defined in the Loan Agreement and not defined herein are used herein (including in the Recitals hereto) with the meanings so defined.

SECTION 2. Assignment and Assumption.

Effective as of the date hereof (the “Assumption Date”):

2.1 Assignment and Assumption. Assignor hereby irrevocably assigns and transfers to Assignee all of Assignor’s rights, title and interests and duties, liabilities and obligations, in each case solely in its capacity as the Borrower, under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and Assignee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts such rights, title and interests and assumes such duties, liabilities and obligations from Assignor on the Assumption Date on the terms contained herein, including, without limitation, (i) any claims, liabilities or obligations arising from any failure of Assignor to perform any of its covenants, agreements, commitments and/or obligations, in each case solely in its capacity as the Borrower, to be performed prior to the date hereof under the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document and (ii) all claims or liabilities of Assignor, solely in its capacity as the Borrower, with respect to the Loans or the Commitments under the Loan Agreement. The Assignee hereby confirms and agrees that the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are, and shall continue on and after the Assumption Date to be, in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms and are hereby ratified and confirmed by the Assignee in all respects. For the


avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Assignor shall remain a party to the Loan Agreement (but not in its capacity as the Borrower) after the effectiveness of this Agreement, and shall continue to be subject to and bound by all of the Assignor’s representations, covenants, agreements and obligations (other than in its capacity as the Borrower) under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If the Assignor makes a payment of principal or interest to a Lender under the Loans after the Assumption Date, Assignee shall become liable to the Assignor for reimbursement of such payment on the same terms under which the Assignee was liable to the Lenders under the Loan Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, all rights of the Assignor against the Assignee in respect of such liability and reimbursement shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all amounts owed by the Assignee to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under the Loan Agreement.

2.2 Lenders’ Acceptance of Assignment and Assumption by Assignee. The Administrative Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Lenders, hereby consents to the assignment and assumption set forth in Section 2.1 above, and accepts the liability of Assignee as Borrower in place of the liability of Assignor as Borrower arising out of or related to the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document and grants to Assignee the same rights under or arising out of or related to the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document as were granted to Assignor in every way as if Assignee was and had been the Borrower instead of and in place of Assignor.

SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. Each of Assignee and Assignor, as to itself only, represents and warrants that:

3.1 Organization. It is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

3.2 Authorization. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder or shareholder action on its part.

3.3 Governmental Filings. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental body or regulatory body on its part is required for the due execution, delivery or performance by it of this Agreement.

3.4 No Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and the performance of its obligations hereunder do not and will not (A) violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of such party or any order of any Governmental Authority binding on such party, (B) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, material agreement or other material instrument binding upon such party or any of its subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by such party or any of its subsidiaries; or (C) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of such party or any of its subsidiaries.

3.5 Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

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SECTION 4. Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to execute and deliver such other instruments and documents and to take such other actions as any party hereto may reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SECTION 5. Notices. All notices and other communications required to be given or made to Assignee under this Agreement, the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be given or made at the address provided in Section 9.01 of the Loan Agreement.

SECTION 6. General. This Agreement is a Loan Document. This Agreement, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all current and prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. The invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other term or provision hereof, and any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified so as to be enforced to the maximum extent of its validity or enforceability. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument, and shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, including as such successors and assigns all holders of any Obligations. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties hereto, the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns: provided that neither the Assignor nor the Assignee shall have any right to assign any rights, obligations or liabilities hereunder except in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement. No Person other than the parties hereto, the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns will have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under, in respect of, or by virtue of this Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first written above.

 

ASSIGNOR:
NETAPP, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
ASSIGNEE:
[                    ]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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EXHIBIT C

LIST OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS

NETAPP, INC.

LOAN FACILITY

February 2, 2016

LIST OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS1

A. LOAN DOCUMENTS

 

1. Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) by and among NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders (the “Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for itself and the other Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), evidencing an unsecured term loan facility to the Parent from the Lenders in an aggregate principal amount of $870,000,000.

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 2.01

        Commitments

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

        Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B

        Form of Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement

Exhibit C

        List of Closing Documents

Exhibit D

        Form of Subsidiary Guaranty

Exhibit E

        Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit F

        [Intentionally Omitted]

Exhibit G

        [Intentionally Omitted]

Exhibit H-1

        Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships)

Exhibit H-2

        Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships)

Exhibit H-3

        Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships)

Exhibit H-4

        Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships)

Exhibit I-1

        Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit I-2

        Form of Interest Election Request

 

 

1  Each capitalized term used herein and not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the above-defined Loan Agreement. Items appearing in bold and italics shall be prepared and/or provided by the Borrower and/or Borrower’s counsel.


2. Disclosure Letter executed by the Parent in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

3. Notes executed by the Parent in favor of each of the Lenders, if any, which has requested a note pursuant to Section 2.10(e) of the Loan Agreement.

B. CORPORATE DOCUMENTS

 

4. Certificates of a Director, Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other duly appointed and authorized officer of each of the Parent and the Assuming Borrower certifying (i) that there have been no changes in the Certificate of Incorporation or other charter document of such Person, as attached thereto and as certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or analogous governmental entity) of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, since the date of the certification thereof by such secretary of state, (ii) the By-Laws or other applicable organizational document, as attached thereto, of such Person as in effect on the date of such certification, (iii) resolutions of the board of directors and, if applicable, the general meeting of shareholders, or other governing body of such Person authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to which it is a party (in each applicable capacity), and (iv) the names and true signatures of the incumbent officers of such Person authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and authorized to request a Borrowing under the Loan Agreement.

 

5. Good Standing Certificate (or analogous documentation if applicable) for the Parent and the Assuming Borrower from the Secretary of State (or analogous governmental entity) of the jurisdiction of its organization.

C. OPINIONS

 

6. Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC, special financing counsel for the Parent and the Assuming Borrower.

 

7. Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special securities counsel for the Parent and the Assuming Borrower.

 

8. Opinion of DLA Piper Nederland N.V., special Dutch counsel for the Assuming Borrower.

D. CLOSING CERTIFICATES AND MISCELLANEOUS

 

9. A Certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by the Chief Executive Officer or a Financial Officer, certifying that: (i) the representations and warranties of the Parent set forth in the Loan Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Effective Date, except, in each case, to the extent such representation and warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date and (ii) on and as of the Effective Date no Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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E. POST-CLOSING DOCUMENTS

 

10. Borrower Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 

11. Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, PC, special financing counsel for the Parent and the Assuming Borrower.

 

12. Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special securities counsel for the Parent and the Assuming Borrower.

 

13. Opinion of DLA Piper Nederland N.V., special Dutch counsel for the Assuming Borrower.

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

GUARANTY

THIS GUARANTY (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”) is made as of [            ], 20    , by and among each of the undersigned (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Subsidiaries of the Borrower which become parties to this Guaranty by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below), under the Loan Agreement referred to below.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent” or, subject to the parenthetical at the end of this WHEREAS clause, “Borrower”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap), established under Netherlands law (the “Assuming Borrower”), the institutions from time to time parties thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), have entered into a certain Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented and/or restated, and as in effect from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), providing, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, for extensions of credit and other financial accommodations to be made by the Lenders to the Borrower (it being understood and agreed that the Parent in its capacity as the Borrower shall assign and transfer its rights and obligations as the “Borrower” under the Loan Agreement to the Assuming Borrower and, upon the effectiveness of such assignment and transfer, all references herein to Borrower shall be deemed to be a reference to the Assuming Borrower);

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the extensions of credit by the Lenders under the Loan Agreement that each of the Guarantors (constituting all of the Subsidiaries of the Parent required to execute this Guaranty pursuant to Section 5.09 of the Loan Agreement) execute and deliver this Guaranty, whereby each of the Guarantors shall guarantee the payment when due of all Obligations; and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the direct and indirect financial and other support that the Borrower has provided, and such direct and indirect financial and other support as the Borrower may in the future provide, to the Guarantors, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into the Loan Agreement, each of the Guarantors is willing to guarantee the Obligations of the Borrower;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions. Terms defined in the Loan Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have, as used herein, the respective meanings provided for therein.

SECTION 2. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Each of the Guarantors represents and warrants that:

(A) It is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept


applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except to the extent that the failure to have such authority could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(B) It (to the extent applicable) has the requisite power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Guaranty and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by each Guarantor of this Guaranty and the performance by each of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and this Guaranty constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against such Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(C) Neither the execution and delivery by it of this Guaranty, nor the consummation by it of the transactions herein contemplated, nor compliance by it with the provisions hereof will (i) violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on it or its articles or certificate of incorporation (or equivalent charter documents), limited liability company or partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, or the provisions of any indenture, material instrument or material agreement to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its property, is bound, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default under, or result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on its property pursuant to the terms of, any such indenture, material instrument or material agreement (other than any Loan Document). No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by it, is required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by it of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against it of, this Guaranty.

In addition to the foregoing, each of the Guarantors covenants that until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable under the Loan Agreement have been paid in full, it will, and, if necessary, will enable the Borrower to, fully comply with those covenants and agreements of the Borrower applicable to such Guarantor set forth in the Loan Agreement.

SECTION 3. The Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly with the other Guarantors and severally, the full and punctual payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, including, without limitation, (i) the principal of and interest on each Loan made to the Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement, (ii) [intentionally omitted], (iii) all obligations of the Borrower owing to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender under any Swap Agreement or Banking Services Agreement, (iv) all other amounts payable by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries under the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (v) the punctual and faithful performance, keeping, observance, and fulfillment by the Parent and the Borrower of all of the agreements, conditions, covenants, and obligations of the Parent and the Borrower contained in the Loan Documents (all of the foregoing being referred to collectively as the “Guaranteed Obligations” and the holders from time to time of the Guaranteed Obligations being referred to collectively as the “Holders of Guaranteed Obligations”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, obligations arising from Bond Hedges and letter of credit facilities that are not under the Loan Agreement shall not be

 

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considered Guaranteed Obligations. Upon (x) the failure by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, to pay punctually any such amount or perform such obligation, and (y) such failure continuing beyond any applicable grace or notice and cure period, each of the Guarantors agrees that it shall forthwith on demand pay such amount or perform such obligation at the place and in the manner specified in the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the relevant Loan Document, as the case may be. Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that this Guaranty is an absolute, irrevocable and unconditional guaranty of payment and is not a guaranty of collection.

SECTION 4. Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of each of the Guarantors hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

(A) any extension, renewal, settlement, indulgence, compromise, waiver or release of or with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether (in any such case) by operation of law or otherwise, or any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any obligation of any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(B) any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, any such amendment which may increase the amount of, or the interest rates applicable to, any of the Obligations guaranteed hereby;

(C) any release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, any other guaranties with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other obligation of any person or entity with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any nonperfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for the Guaranteed Obligations;

(D) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of the Borrower or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Borrower or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any of their respective assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of the Borrower or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(E) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which the Guarantors may have at any time against the Borrower, any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in connection with any unrelated transactions; provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

(F) the enforceability or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against the Borrower or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any provision of applicable law,

 

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decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by the Borrower or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(G) the failure of the Administrative Agent to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, if any;

(H) the election by, or on behalf of, any one or more of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

(I) any borrowing or grant of a security interest by the Borrower or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, as debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

(J) the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of all or any portion of the claims of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent for repayment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(K) the failure of any other guarantor to sign or become party to this Guaranty or any amendment, change, or reaffirmation hereof by or with any other guarantor; or

(L) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Borrower, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section 4, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder except as provided in Section 5.

SECTION 5. Continuing Guarantee; Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full: Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. Each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) shall have been paid in full in cash and the Commitments issued under the Loan Agreement shall have terminated or expired (in each case without any pending draw). If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount payable by the Borrower or any other party under the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, the Parent or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in its discretion), each of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due and payable in the same currency as such Guaranteed Obligation is denominated, but if currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that such currency (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the relevant Guarantor is not able to make payment in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Guarantor hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the dollar equivalent (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent) (as of the date of payment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that each Guarantor takes all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations.

 

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SECTION 6. General Waivers; Additional Waivers.

(A) General Waivers. Each of the Guarantors irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand or action on delinquency, protest, the benefit of any statutes of limitations and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the Borrower, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other Person.

(B) Additional Waivers. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the Guarantors hereby absolutely, unconditionally, knowingly, and expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by law:

(i) any right it may have to revoke this Guaranty as to future indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents;

(ii) (a) notice of acceptance hereof; (b) notice of any loans or other financial accommodations made or extended under the Loan Documents or the creation or existence of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c) notice of the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations, subject, however, to each Guarantor’s right to make inquiry of Administrative Agent and Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to ascertain the amount of the Guaranteed Obligations at any reasonable time; (d) notice of any adverse change in the financial condition of the Borrower or of any other fact that might increase such Guarantor’s risk hereunder; (e) notice of presentment for payment, demand, protest, and notice thereof as to any instruments among the Loan Documents; (f) notice of any Default or Event of Default; and (g) all other notices (except if such notice is specifically required to be given to such Guarantor hereunder or under the Loan Documents) and demands to which each Guarantor might otherwise be entitled;

(iii) its right, if any, to require the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations to institute suit against, or to exhaust any rights and remedies which the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations has or may have against, the other Guarantors or any third party; and each Guarantor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense (other than the defense that the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been fully and finally performed) of the other Guarantors or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of the other Guarantors in respect thereof;

(iv) (a) any rights to assert against the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against the other Guarantors or any other party liable to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any defense, set-off, counterclaim, or claim, of any kind or nature, arising directly or indirectly from the present or future lack of perfection, sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor; (c) any defense such Guarantor has to performance hereunder, and any right such Guarantor has to be exonerated, arising by reason of: the impairment or suspension of the Administrative Agent’s and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ rights or remedies against the other Guarantors; the alteration by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of the Guaranteed Obligations; any discharge of the other Guarantors’ obligations to the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations by operation of law as a result of the Administrative Agent’s and the

 

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other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations’ intervention or omission; or the acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations of anything in partial satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (d) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof, and any act which shall defer or delay the operation of any statute of limitations applicable to the Guaranteed Obligations shall similarly operate to defer or delay the operation of such statute of limitations applicable to such Guarantor’s liability hereunder; and

(v) any defense arising by reason of or deriving from (a) any claim or defense based upon an election of remedies by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations; or (b) any election by the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations under Section 1111(b) of Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect (or any successor statute), to limit the amount of, or any collateral securing, its claim against the Guarantors.

SECTION 7. Subordination of Subrogation; Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.

(A) Subordination of Subrogation. Until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) shall have been paid in full in cash, the Guarantors (i) shall have no right of subrogation with respect to such Guaranteed Obligations and (ii) waive any right to enforce any remedy which the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent now have or may hereafter have against the Borrower, any endorser or any guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, and, until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) have been paid in full in cash, the Guarantors waive any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent to secure the payment or performance of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other liability of the Borrower to the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. Should any Guarantor have the right, notwithstanding the foregoing, to exercise its subrogation rights, each Guarantor hereby expressly and irrevocably (A) subordinates any and all rights at law or in equity to subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or set off that such Guarantor may have to the payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) and (B) waives any and all defenses available to a surety, guarantor or accommodation co-obligor until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) are paid in full in cash. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that this subordination is intended to benefit the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall not limit or otherwise affect such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforceability of this Guaranty, and that the Administrative Agent, the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and assigns are intended third party beneficiaries of the waivers and agreements set forth in this Section 7(A).

(B) Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness. Each Guarantor agrees that any and all claims of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other Guarantor hereunder (each an “Obligor”) with respect to any “Intercompany Indebtedness” (as hereinafter defined), any endorser, obligor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or against any of its properties shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior

 

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payment, in full and in cash, of all Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements); provided that, as long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, such Guarantor may receive payments of principal and interest from any Obligor with respect to Intercompany Indebtedness. Notwithstanding any right of any Guarantor to ask, demand, sue for, take or receive any payment from any Obligor, all rights, liens and security interests of such Guarantor, whether now or hereafter arising and howsoever existing, in any assets of any other Obligor shall be and are subordinated to the rights of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and the Administrative Agent in those assets. No Guarantor shall have any right to possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) shall have been fully paid and satisfied (in cash) and the Commitments under the Loan Agreement shall have terminated or expired (in each case without any pending draw). If all or any part of the assets of any Obligor, or the proceeds thereof, are subject to any distribution, division or application to the creditors of such Obligor, whether partial or complete, voluntary or involuntary, and whether by reason of liquidation, bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other action or proceeding, or if the business of any such Obligor is dissolved or if substantially all of the assets of any such Obligor are sold, other than, in each case, in a transaction that is otherwise permitted under the Loan Agreement, then, and in any such event (such events being herein referred to as an “Insolvency Event”), any payment or distribution of any kind or character, either in cash, securities or other property, which shall be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to any indebtedness of any Obligor to any Guarantor (“Intercompany Indebtedness”) shall be paid or delivered directly to the Administrative Agent for application on any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or to become due, until such Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) shall have first been fully paid and satisfied (in cash). Should any payment, distribution, security or instrument or proceeds thereof be received by the applicable Guarantor upon or with respect to the Intercompany Indebtedness after any Insolvency Event and prior to the satisfaction of all of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) and the termination of all financing arrangements pursuant to any Loan Document among the Borrower and the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, such Guarantor shall receive and hold the same in trust, as trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and shall forthwith deliver the same to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, in precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of the Guarantor where necessary), for application to any of the Guaranteed Obligations, due or not due, and, until so delivered, the same shall be held in trust by the Guarantor as the property of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations. If any such Guarantor fails to make any such endorsement or assignment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent or any of its officers or employees is irrevocably authorized to make the same. Each Guarantor agrees that until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than the contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) have been paid in full (in cash) and satisfied and the Commitments under the Loan Agreement shall have terminated or expired (in each case without any pending draw), except as otherwise permitted by the Loan Agreement, no Guarantor will assign or transfer to any Person (other than the Administrative Agent) any claim any such Guarantor has or may have against any Obligor.

 

7


SECTION 8. Contribution with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations.

(A) To the extent that any Guarantor shall make a payment under this Guaranty (a “Guarantor Payment”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Guarantor if each Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) and the Commitments under the Loan Agreement shall have terminated or expired (in each case without any pending draw), such Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

(B) As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

(C) This Section 8 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 8 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Guaranty.

(D) The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Guarantor or Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

(E) The rights of the indemnifying Guarantors against other Guarantors under this Section 8 shall be exercisable upon the full payment of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations and Guaranteed Obligations in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements) in cash and the Commitments under the Loan Agreement shall have terminated or expired (in each case without any pending draw).

SECTION 9. Limitation of Guaranty. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Guarantor may have under this Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

SECTION 10. Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Borrower under the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services

 

8


Agreement or any other Loan Document is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other Loan Document shall nonetheless be payable by each of the Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 11. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in the manner prescribed in Article IX of the Loan Agreement with respect to the Administrative Agent at its notice address therein and with respect to any Guarantor, in care of the Borrower at the address of the Borrower set forth in the Loan Agreement or such other address or telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify for such purpose by notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of such Article IX.

SECTION 12. No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies provided in this Guaranty, the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

SECTION 13. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty is for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations and their respective successors and permitted assigns; provided, that no Guarantor shall have any right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of the Required Lenders, and any such assignment in violation of this Section 13 shall be null and void; and in the event of an assignment of any amounts payable under the Loan Agreement, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or the other Loan Documents in accordance with the respective terms thereof, the rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the indebtedness so assigned, may be transferred with such indebtedness. This Guaranty shall be binding upon each of the Guarantors and their respective successors and assigns.

SECTION 14. Changes in Writing. Other than in connection with the addition of additional Subsidiaries, which become parties hereto by executing a supplement hereto in the form attached as Annex I, neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only in writing signed by each of the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 15. GOVERNING LAW. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 16. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; JURY TRIAL; IMMUNITY.

(A) CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH

 

9


FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(B) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED THEREUNDER AND FURTHER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO INTERPOSE ANY COUNTERCLAIM (OTHER THAN ANY COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM) RELATED TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IN SUCH ACTION.

(C) TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY GUARANTOR HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER FROM SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT, EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE), EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS GUARANTY.

SECTION 17. No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Guaranty. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Guaranty shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Guaranty.

SECTION 18. Taxes, Expenses of Enforcement, etc.

(A) Taxes.

(i) Each payment by any Guarantor hereunder or under any promissory note shall be made without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by any law. If any Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Guarantor may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by the Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding for Indemnified Taxes (including such withholding for Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the applicable Recipient receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding for Indemnified Taxes been made.

(ii) In addition, such Guarantor making a payment hereunder or under any promissory note shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

10


(iii) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by any Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, such Guarantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(iv) The Guarantors shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient for any Indemnified Taxes that are paid or payable by such Recipient in connection with any Loan Document (including amounts payable under this Section 18(A)) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this Section 18(A) shall be paid within ten (10) days after the Recipient delivers to any Guarantor a certificate stating the amount of any Indemnified Taxes so payable by such Recipient. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so payable absent manifest error. Such Recipient shall deliver a copy of such certificate to the Administrative Agent. In the case of any Lender making a claim under this Section 18(A) on behalf of any of its beneficial owners, an indemnity payment under this Section 18(A) shall be due only to the extent that such Lender is able to establish that, with respect to the applicable Indemnified Taxes, such beneficial owners supplied to the applicable Persons such properly completed and executed documentation necessary to claim any applicable exemption from, or reduction of, such Indemnified Taxes.

(v) By accepting the benefits hereof, each Lender agrees that it will comply with Section 2.17(f) of the Loan Agreement.

(B) Expenses of Enforcement, Etc. The Guarantors agree to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel for the Administrative Agent and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, and one counsel for all the Lenders other than the Administrative Agent in connection with the collection and enforcement of amounts due under the Loan Documents, including without limitation this Guaranty.

SECTION 19. Setoff. At any time after all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations have become due and payable (by acceleration or otherwise), each Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) may, without notice to any Guarantor and regardless of the acceptance of any security or collateral for the payment hereof, appropriate and apply in accordance with the terms of the Loan Agreement toward the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (i) any indebtedness due or to become due from such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations or the Administrative Agent to any Guarantor, and (ii) any moneys, credits or other property belonging to any Guarantor, at any time held by or coming into the possession of such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) or any of their respective affiliates.

SECTION 20. Financial Information. Each Guarantor hereby assumes responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the Borrower and any and all endorsers and/or other Guarantors of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, that diligent inquiry would reveal, and each Guarantor hereby agrees that none of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to any of them regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from

 

11


time to time to provide any such information to a Guarantor, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent) shall be under no obligation (i) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, (ii) to disclose any information which such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance or banking practices, wishes to maintain confidential or (iii) to make any other or future disclosures of such information or any other information to such Guarantor.

SECTION 21. Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Guaranty shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty.

SECTION 22. Merger. This Guaranty represents the final agreement of each of the Guarantors with respect to the matters contained herein and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior or contemporaneous agreements, or subsequent oral agreements, between the Guarantor and any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 23. Headings. Section headings in this Guaranty are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern the interpretation of any provision of this Guaranty.

SECTION 24. Judgment Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Guarantor hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The obligations of each Guarantor in respect of any sum due hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) amounts shared with other Holders of Guaranteed Obligations as a result of allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such other Holder of Guaranteed Obligations under Section 2.18 of the Loan Agreement, such Holder of Guaranteed Obligations (including the Administrative Agent), as the case may be, agrees, by accepting the benefits hereof, to remit such excess to such Guarantor.

SECTION 25. Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 25 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred

 

12


without rendering its obligations under this Section 25 or otherwise under this Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 25 shall remain in full force and effect until a discharge of such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s Guaranteed Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 25 constitute, and this Section 25 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. As used herein, “Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Specified Swap Obligation, each Guarantor that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation or such other Person as constitutes an ECP and can cause another Person to qualify as an ECP at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

SECTION 26. Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Guaranty and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

SECTION 27. Termination of Guaranty. The obligations of any Guarantor under this Guaranty shall automatically terminate in accordance with Section 9.15 of the Loan Agreement.

Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank.

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Initial Guarantors has caused this Guaranty to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

[INITIAL GUARANTORS TO COME]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

14


Acknowledged and Agreed
as of the date first written above:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

15


ANNEX I TO GUARANTY

Reference is hereby made to the Guaranty (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty”) made as of [                    ] by and among [INITIAL GUARANTORS TO COME] (the “Initial Guarantors” and along with any additional Subsidiaries of the Parent, which become parties thereto and together with the undersigned, the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Holders of Guaranteed Obligations, under the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Guaranty. By its execution below, the undersigned [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company], agrees to become, and does hereby become, a Guarantor under the Guaranty and agrees to be bound by such Guaranty as if originally a party thereto. By its execution below, the undersigned represents and warrants as to itself that all of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2 of the Guaranty are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR], a [corporation] [partnership] [limited liability company] has executed and delivered this Annex I counterpart to the Guaranty as of this      day of             , 20    .

 

16


[NAME OF NEW GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

Its:  

 

17


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To: The Lenders parties to the

Loan Agreement Described Below

This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, modified, renewed or extended from time to time, the “Agreement”) among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for the Lenders. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

 

  1. I am the duly elected                      of the Parent;

 

  2. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of the Parent and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements [for quarterly financial statements add: and such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (except as set forth below), subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes];

 

  3. Except as set forth below, the examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of (i) the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Compliance Certificate or (ii) any change in GAAP or in the application thereof that has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 of the Agreement; and

 

  4. Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations evidencing the Parent’s compliance with Section 6.05 of the Agreement, all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct.

Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 by listing, in detail, (i) the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Parent has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event or (ii) the change in GAAP or the application thereof and the effect of such change on the attached financial statements:

 

 

 

 

The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Schedule I hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Compliance Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this      day of             ,         .


NETAPP, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

2


SCHEDULE I

Compliance as of                     ,                      with

Provisions of                      and                      of

the Agreement

 

3


EXHIBIT F

[Intentionally Omitted]


EXHIBIT G

[Intentionally Omitted]


EXHIBIT H-1

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Loan Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:              , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT H-2

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (v) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Loan Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:              , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT H-3

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (vi) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners’/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Loan Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:              , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT H-4

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Loan Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (vi) the interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s or its partners’/members’ conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Loan Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:              , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT I-1

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

[10 South Dearborn

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: [                    ]

Facsimile: [                    ]]

With a copy to:

270 Park Avenue, 43rd Floor

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Timothy D. Lee

Facsimile: [                    ]

 

  Re: NetApp, Inc.

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Parent”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Loan Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Loan Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowing requested hereby:

 

1. Aggregate principal amount of Borrowing:6                     

 

2. Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):                     

 

3. Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar):                     

 

4. Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):7                     

 

 

6  Not less than applicable amounts specified in Section 2.02(c).
7  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.


5. Location and number of the Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to which proceeds of Borrowing are to be disbursed:                     

[Signature Page Follows]

 

-2-


The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the conditions to lending specified in Section 4.01 of the Loan Agreement are satisfied as of the date hereof.

 

Very truly yours,

[                    ],

as the Borrower

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT I-2

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

[10 South Dearborn

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: [                    ]

Facsimile: ([    ]) [    ]-[            ]]

 

  Re: NetApp, Inc.

[Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Loan Agreement dated as of February 2, 2016 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), among NetApp, Inc. (the “Borrower”), Sonoma Holdings C.V., as the Assuming Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Loan Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.08 of the Loan Agreement that it requests to [convert][continue] an existing Borrowing under the Loan Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such [conversion][continuation] requested hereby:

 

1. List date, Type, principal amount and Interest Period (if applicable) of existing Borrowing:                     

 

2. Aggregate principal amount of resulting Borrowing:                     

 

3. Effective date of interest election (which shall be a Business Day):                     

 

4. Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar):                     

 

5. Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):1                     

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

1  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.


Very truly yours,

[                    ],

as Borrower

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION COPY

AMENDMENT NO. 1

Dated as of February 2, 2016

to

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of December 21, 2012

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 (this “Amendment”) is made as of February 2, 2016 by and among NetApp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the financial institutions listed on the signature pages hereof and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”), under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012 by and among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the requisite Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree to provide additional revolving commitments under, and make certain amendments to, the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent have so agreed on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, the terms and conditions contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower, the Lenders party hereto and the Administrative Agent hereby agree to enter into this Amendment.

1. Amendments to the Credit Agreement. Effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (as defined below), the parties hereto agree that the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the following definitions thereto in the appropriate alphabetical order and, where applicable, replace the corresponding previously existing definitions:

““Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” means February 2, 2016.”

“Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means (i) SolidFire, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (ii) its successor, SolidFire, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ((i) and (ii) collectively, “SolidFire”), and any Domestic Subsidiary that is or becomes a direct parent of the Specified Dutch Subsidiary and owns no assets other than equity interest in the Specified Dutch Subsidiary.”

““Specified Dutch Subsidiary” means Sonoma Holdings LLC acting in its capacity as general partner and in the name of Sonoma Holdings C.V., a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap), established under Netherlands law, with address at 495 East Java Drive, Sunnyvale, California 94089, United States of America, and registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 65185889, such general partner being a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.”


““Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Material Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary and party to the Subsidiary Guaranty, but excluding any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary. The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 3.01 to the Disclosure Letter.”

““2016 Loan Agreement” means that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2016, by and among NetApp, Inc. as the parent and the initial borrower thereunder, the Specified Dutch Subsidiary, as the assuming borrower thereunder, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.”

(b) The definition of “Commitment” appearing in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to insert a new sentence at the end thereof as follows:

“The aggregate principal amount of the Commitments on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date is $300,000,000.”

(c) The definition of “Permitted Encumbrances” appearing in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to (1) delete the reference to “and” at the end of clause (j) thereof, (2) insert the word “and” following the semicolon at the end of clause (k) thereof and (3) insert a new clause (l) immediately following such clause (k) as follows:

“(l) Liens created pursuant to the general conditions of a bank operating in the Netherlands based on the general conditions drawn up by the Netherlands Bankers’ Association (Nederlandse Vereniging van Banken) and the Consumers Union (Consumentenbond);”

(d) Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to insert a new clause (j) therein immediately following clause (i) thereof as follows:

“(j) Certain FATCA Matters. For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) this Agreement and the Loans as not qualifying as “grandfathered obligations” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i) or 1.1471-2T(b)(2)(i).”

(e) Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to replace the reference to “does not exceed $100,000,000” set forth therein with a reference to “does not exceed $50,000,000”.

(f) Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended to insert a new sentence at the end thereof as follows:

“The Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent may, in lieu of entering into an Augmenting Lender agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto, enter into Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement in order to give effect to the increase in Commitments contemplated by such Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement and the minimum increments requirement set forth in this Section 2.20 shall not apply to the increase in Commitments contemplated by Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement.”

 

2


(g) Section 5.01(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to (i) delete the words “, shareholders’ equity” appearing therein, (ii) insert the word “condensed” immediately prior to the words “consolidated balance sheet” and (iii) insert “(other than the statement of cash flows)” immediately after the words “such fiscal quarter”.

(h) Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to replace each reference to “Domestic Subsidiary” set forth therein with a reference to “Domestic Subsidiary (excluding any Excluded Domestic Subsidiary)” in each case.

(i) Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to (1) delete the “and” at the end of clause (m) thereof, (2) re-designate existing clause (n) thereof as clause (p) thereof and (3) insert new clauses (n) and (o) therein immediately following clause (m) thereof as follows:

“(n) Indebtedness of the Specified Dutch Subsidiary in respect of the 2016 Loan Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $870,000,000;

(o) Indebtedness arising under a declaration of joint and several liability used for the purpose of Article 2:403 of the Dutch Civil Code (and any residual liability under such declaration arising pursuant to section 2:404(2) of the Dutch Civil Code); and”

(j) Section 6.03(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to (1) replace the reference to “and” immediately preceding clause (vii) thereof with a comma and (2) insert a new clause (viii) immediately following such clause (vii) as follows:

“and (viii) the Borrower may transfer the stock (or other equity interests) of any Subsidiary held by the Borrower to any wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that any such transfer of the stock (or other equity interests) of any Domestic Subsidiary that is, or that would otherwise be required to be, a Subsidiary Guarantor may only be made to a Subsidiary Guarantor.”

(k) Section 6.04 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to (1) delete the reference to “and” immediately preceding clause (d) thereof and (2) insert a new clause (e) immediately following such clause (d) as follows:

“and (e) the Borrower Assumption under (and as defined in) the 2016 Loan Agreement.”

(l) Schedule 2.01 to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form of Schedule 2.01 attached hereto.

2. New Lenders. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge and agree that:

(a) Each of the undersigned financial institutions that is not a party to the Credit Agreement prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (each, a “New Lender”) agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and agrees that it shall, on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, become a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, with a Commitment as set forth on Schedule 2.01 attached hereto.

(b) Each undersigned New Lender (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Amendment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Credit Agreement and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement

 

3


that are required to be satisfied by it in order to become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, and (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Amendment (and become party to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby) on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

3. Conditions of Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Amendment (the “Amendment No. 1 Effective Date”) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment duly executed by the Borrower, the Required Lenders (including each existing Lender (if any) whose Commitment is increasing pursuant to the terms of this Amendment), the New Lenders, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date) of (i) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., special financing counsel for the Borrower and (ii) Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, special securities counsel for the Borrower, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel and covering such matters relating to the Borrower, the Loan Documents, this Amendment or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request. The Borrower hereby requests such counsels to deliver such opinions.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower certifying that, after giving effect to this Amendment, (A) the Borrower is in compliance (on a pro forma basis assuming the increased Commitments have been fully drawn as Revolving Loans) with the covenants contained in Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter ended October 30, 2015, (B) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Credit Agreement (as amended by this Amendment) (other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.04(b) and Section 3.06(a)) are true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such certificate; except, in each case, to the extent any such representation or warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and (C) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) such other documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Borrower, the Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) for the account of each Lender participating in the increase to the Commitments pursuant hereto (including each New Lender) that

 

4


delivers its executed signature page to this Amendment by no later than the date and time specified by the Administrative Agent, an upfront fee in an amount equal to the applicable amount previously disclosed to the Lenders and (ii) payment of the Administrative Agent’s and its affiliates’ fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent) in connection with this Amendment and the other Loan Documents.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have made such reallocations of each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Credit Exposure under the Credit Agreement as are necessary in order that the Revolving Credit Exposure with respect to such Lender reflects such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Revolving Credit Exposure under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby. The Borrower hereby agrees to compensate each Lender for any and all losses, costs and expenses incurred by such Lender in connection with the sale and assignment of any Eurocurrency Loans and the reallocation described in this clause (e), in each case on the terms and in the manner set forth in Section 2.16 of the Credit Agreement.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants as follows:

(a) This Amendment and the Credit Agreement as modified hereby constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower and are enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

(b) As of the date hereof and after giving effect to the terms of this Amendment, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Credit Agreement (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.04(b) and Section 3.06(a)) are true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects), except, in each case, to the extent any such representation or warranty specifically refers to an earlier date, in which case it shall be true and correct in all material respects (except that any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date.

5. Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement.

(a) Upon the effectiveness hereof, each reference to the Credit Agreement in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

(b) Each Loan Document and all other documents, instruments and agreements executed and/or delivered in connection therewith shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

(c) Except with respect to the subject matter hereof, the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other documents, instruments and agreements executed and/or delivered in connection therewith.

(d) This Amendment is a Loan Document.

 

5


6. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

7. Headings. Section headings in this Amendment are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose.

8. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Signatures delivered by facsimile or PDF shall have the same force and effect as manual signatures delivered in person.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

NETAPP, INC.,
as the Borrower
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey Bergmann

Name:   Jeffrey Bergmann
Title:   Interim Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
individually as a Lender, as the Issuing Bank, as the Swingline Lender and as Administrative Agent
By:  

/s/ Timothy D. Lee

Name:   Timothy D. Lee
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Gilroy D’Souza

Name:   Gilroy D’Souza
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Karen Byler

Name:   Karen Byler
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Arti Dighe

Name:   Arti Dighe
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


CITIBANK, N.A.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jake Rapaport

Name:   Jake Rapaport
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jerry Li

Name:   Jerry Li
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Lillian Kim

Name:   Lillian Kim
Title:   Director

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


STANDARD CHARTERED BANK,
as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Steven Aloupis

Name:   Steven Aloupis A2388
Title:   Managing Director, Capital Markets

 

Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to

Credit Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012

NetApp, Inc.


SCHEDULE 2.01

COMMITMENTS

 

LENDER

   COMMITMENT  

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

   $ 56,000,001   

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.

   $ 56,000,000   

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

   $ 56,000,000   

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

   $ 27,333,333   

CITIBANK, N.A.

   $ 27,333,333   

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

   $ 27,333,333   

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

   $ 25,000,000   

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

   $ 25,000,000   

AGGREGATE COMMITMENT

   $ 300,000,000   

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

NetApp Completes Acquisition of SolidFire

Sunnyvale, Calif. — February 2, 2016 — NetApp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) today announced it has completed the acquisition of SolidFire. SolidFire combines the performance and economics of all-flash storage with a webscale architecture that radically simplifies data center operations and enables rapid deployments of new applications.

Customers now have access to the industry’s broadest all-flash portfolio to meet their needs for speed, scale and data services. Over time, SolidFire products will be incorporated into NetApp’s Data Fabric strategy, delivering seamless data management across flash, disk and cloud resources.

About NetApp

Leading organizations worldwide count on NetApp for software, systems and services to manage and store their data. Customers value our teamwork, expertise and passion for helping them succeed now and into the future. To learn more, visit www.netapp.com.

Press Contacts

Meghan Fintland

NetApp Inc.

1 925 785 9192

[email protected]

Investor Contact

Kris Newton

NetApp Inc.

1 408 822 3312

[email protected]

NetApp and the NetApp logo are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Use of the word “partner” or “partnership” does not imply a legal partnership between NetApp and any other company.

“Safe Harbor” Statement Under U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, descriptions of NetApp’s future strategy and its impact on customers and partners. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the response to the acquisition by the customers, employees, and strategic and business partners of both companies; the ability to retain key SolidFire and NetApp personnel; and NetApp’s ability to realize its broader strategic and operating objectives. These and other equally important factors are described in reports and documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in our most recently submitted Annual Report on Form 10-K. We disclaim any obligation to update information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



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