Close

Form 8-K MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC For: Apr 26

April 26, 2016 4:24 PM EDT

 

 

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

 

April 26, 2016

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-10658

 

75-1618004

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

8000 South Federal Way

Boise, Idaho 83716-9632

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(208) 368-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01. Entry into Material Definitive Agreements.

 

Indenture

 

On April 26, 2016, Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Micron”), issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes are governed by an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”). The Notes mature on September 15, 2023, and interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 7.500% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on September 15, 2016.

 

Prior to April 15, 2019, Micron may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any. On or after April 15, 2019, Micron may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at specified prices that decline over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, Micron may use the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes prior to April 15, 2019 at a price equal to 107.500% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

The Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each domestic restricted subsidiary of Micron (which is generally any domestic subsidiary in which Micron owns at least 80% of the voting stock) that creates, incurs, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable for any indebtedness not otherwise permitted under the Indenture, unless such domestic restricted subsidiary becomes a guarantor of the Notes. Pursuant to that certain Security Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, and the Collateral Agent (the “Security Agreement”), the Notes and the guarantees will be secured by a first-priority lien, subject to certain exceptions, which will be pari passu with the lien securing Micron’s obligations under the Credit Agreement (as defined below), on substantially all of Micron and the guarantors’ domestic assets.

 

If Micron experiences specified change of control triggering events, Micron must offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of Micron and/or its domestic restricted subsidiaries to:

 

·                  create or incur certain liens and enter into sale and lease-back transactions;

·                  in the case of Micron’s domestic restricted subsidiaries, create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; and

·                  in the case of Micron, consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its and its restricted subsidiaries’, taken as a whole, assets, to another person.

 

These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

 

The following events are considered events of default under the Indenture:

 

·                  Micron’s failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on any of the Notes when due at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise;

·                  Micron’s failure to pay interest, including any additional interest, on any of the Notes for 30 days after the date when due;

·                  Micron’s failure to give timely notice of specified change of control triggering events, which failure continues for a period of 30 days;

·                  the failure by Micron or any of its subsidiaries to comply with any other agreement under the Indenture for a period of 90 days after receiving notice of such failure from the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes as required by the Indenture;

·                  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to Micron or any of its significant subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) which specified events shall not include (i) certain events under the laws of jurisdictions other than the laws of the jurisdiction of such person’s incorporation or organization or the jurisdiction of its head

 

2



 

office or jurisdictions in which all or substantially all of such person’s assets are located, and (ii) specified events with respect to any such person as a result of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings that were ongoing or in process at the time such person became a subsidiary or any related proceedings (including alternate proceedings) or other such proceedings that are in the nature of either a continuation or extension thereof;

·                  Micron’s default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced certain indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or any additional pari passu agreement (as defined in the Indenture), whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both: (a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or such default is with respect to another obligation under such indebtedness and results in the holder or holders of such indebtedness causing the payment of such indebtedness to be accelerated and to become due prior to its stated maturity; and (b) the principal amount of such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such indebtedness not so paid when due, or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more;

·                  any of the security documents evidencing the holders of the Notes’ lien upon the collateral securing the Notes shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) with respect to collateral with a book value greater than $150.0 million, or Micron or any guarantor shall so assert, or any lien (affecting collateral with a book value greater than $150.0 million) created by such security documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby (other than, in each case, pursuant to a failure of the Collateral Agent, any other agent appointed by the Collateral Agent or the Trustee to maintain possession over possessory collateral actually received by it) (it being understood that the release of collateral from such security documents pursuant to their terms or the discharge of a guarantor of the Notes therefrom shall not be construed (x) as any of such security documents ceasing to be in full force and effect or (y) as any of the liens created thereunder ceasing to be enforceable or of the same priority and effect purported to be created thereby) and such default continues for 60 calendar days after either the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given Micron written notice of the Default; and

·                  except as permitted by the Indenture, any guarantee of the Notes provided by a significant subsidiary ceases, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any significant subsidiary that is a guarantor of the Notes denies or disaffirms in writing its obligations under its guarantee of the Notes.

 

If an event of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing with respect to Micron, then the entire principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest of the outstanding Notes will automatically become due and immediately payable without any further action or notice. If any other event of default under the applicable Indenture occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the entire principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest of the outstanding Notes due and immediately payable.

 

The description of the Notes, the Indenture and the Security Agreement contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Indenture, the form of note included in the Indenture, and the Security Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 10.1, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Credit Agreement

 

On April 26, 2016, Micron entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Micron, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto and each of the financial institutions from time to time party thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for a secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $750 million, which was fully drawn at closing.  The term loans bear interest, at Micron’s election, at either (A) the base rate (the “Base Rate”), which is defined as a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the prime rate in effect, (ii) the federal funds rate in effect plus 0.50%, and (iii) an adjusted LIBOR determined on the basis of a one-month interest period plus 1.0%, in each case plus an applicable margin of 5.00% or (B) an adjusted LIBOR ( “LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin of 6.00% .  Micron may, from time to time, elect to convert outstanding term loans from one rate to another.

 

Interest is due and payable quarterly in arrears for loans bearing interest at the Base Rate and at the end of an interest period (or at each three month interval in the case of loans with interest periods greater than three months) in the case of loans bearing interest at LIBOR.  Micron is required to make quarterly principal payments equal to 0.25% of the initial aggregate principal amount of all term loans, with the first such payment due on September 30, 2016.  Micron is also obligated to pay certain customary fees for a credit facility of this size and type.

 

3



 

The term loans are scheduled to mature on April 26, 2022.  Micron may prepay the term loan, in whole or in part, at any time and without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions contained in the Credit Agreement.  Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1 million or a whole multiple of $1 million in excess thereof.

 

Micron’s obligations under the Credit Agreement will be guaranteed by its domestic restricted subsidiaries meeting materiality thresholds set forth in the Credit Agreement.  Such obligations, including the guarantees of a subsidiary guarantor, are secured by substantially all of the domestic assets of Micron and the subsidiary guarantors pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated April 26, 2016 (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”), by and among Micron, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent. The liens granted in favor of the collateral agent under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement will be pari passu with the liens securing Micron’s and the subsidiary guarantors’ obligations under the Notes (as defined above) as well as certain permitted pari passu lien indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

The Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are substantively identical to those contained in the Indenture (as defined above). The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of Micron’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and an obligation of any or all of the subsidiary guarantors to pay the full amount of Micron’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, which are filed as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3, respectively, hereto and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 1.02. Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On April 26, 2016, in connection with Micron’s entry into the Credit Agreement and the Indenture discussed in Item 1.01 of this Current Report, Micron terminated its Credit Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2014 (as amended), by and among Micron, Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as administrative agent, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as co-collateral agents, the other agents party thereto, and the lenders party thereto.

 

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

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron Technology, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Security Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by Micron Technology, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron Technology, Inc., as borrower, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto and each financial institution party from time to time thereto.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by Micron Technology, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.

 

4



 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Date: April 26, 2016

By:

/s/ Ernest E. Maddock

 

Name:

Ernest E. Maddock

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance

 

5



 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS FILED WITH
THE CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron Technology, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent.

 

 

 

4.2

 

Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4.1).

 

 

 

10.1

 

Security Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by Micron Technology, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent.

 

 

 

10.2

 

Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, by and among Micron Technology, Inc., as borrower, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents party thereto and each financial institution party from time to time thereto.

 

 

 

10.3

 

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by Micron Technology, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent.

 

6


Exhibit 4.1

 

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 26, 2016

 

Among

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.,

 

THE GUARANTORS NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee and as Collateral Agent

 

7.500% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2023

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

1

Section 1.02

Other Definitions

17

Section 1.03

Rules of Construction

18

Section 1.04

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

19

Section 1.05

Acts of Holders

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

22

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Form and Dating; Terms

22

Section 2.02

Execution and Authentication

22

Section 2.03

Registrar and Paying Agent

23

Section 2.04

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

23

Section 2.05

Holder Lists

24

Section 2.06

Transfer and Exchange

24

Section 2.07

Replacement Notes

25

Section 2.08

Outstanding Notes

25

Section 2.09

Treasury Notes

25

Section 2.10

Temporary Notes

26

Section 2.11

Cancellation

26

Section 2.12

Defaulted Interest

26

Section 2.13

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

27

Section 2.14

Notes Beneficially Owned by Company and its Affiliates

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION

27

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Notices to Trustee

27

Section 3.02

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased

27

Section 3.03

Notice of Redemption

28

Section 3.04

Effect of Notice of Redemption

29

Section 3.05

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price

29

Section 3.06

Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part

29

Section 3.07

Optional Redemption

30

Section 3.08

Sinking Fund

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

30

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Payment of Notes; Additional Amounts

30

Section 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

31

Section 4.03

Provision of Financial Information

31

Section 4.04

Compliance Certificate

32

Section 4.05

Reserved

32

Section 4.06

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

32

Section 4.07

Limitation on Subsidiary Debt

32

Section 4.08

Limitation on Sale and Lease-back Transactions

35

Section 4.09

Limitation on Liens

35

Section 4.10

Corporate Existence

36

 

i



 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 4.11

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event

36

Section 4.12

After-Acquired Collateral; Further Assurances

38

Section 4.13

Maintenance of Insurance

40

Section 4.14

Post-Closing Obligations

41

Section 4.15

Additional Interest Notice

41

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

42

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance, Transfer and Lease of Assets

42

Section 5.02

Successor Entity Substituted

43

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

43

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Events of Default

43

Section 6.02

Acceleration

45

Section 6.03

Other Remedies

46

Section 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

46

Section 6.05

Control by Majority

47

Section 6.06

Limitation on Suits

47

Section 6.07

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

47

Section 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

47

Section 6.09

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

47

Section 6.10

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

47

Section 6.11

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

48

Section 6.12

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

48

Section 6.13

Priorities

48

Section 6.14

Undertaking for Costs

49

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

49

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Duties of Trustee

49

Section 7.02

Rights of Trustee

50

Section 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

51

Section 7.04

Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s Disclaimer

51

Section 7.05

Notice of Defaults

52

Section 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

52

Section 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

52

Section 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

53

Section 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

54

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

54

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company

54

Section 7.12

Collateral Agent

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8 DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

55

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

55

Section 8.02

Legal Defeasance

56

Section 8.03

Covenant Defeasance

57

Section 8.04

Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Notes

57

Section 8.05

Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent

57

 

ii



 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 8.06

Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years

58

Section 8.07

Reinstatement

58

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

58

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Without Consent of Holders

58

Section 9.02

With Consent of Holders

59

Section 9.03

Reserved

60

Section 9.04

Revocation and Effect of Consents

60

Section 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

60

Section 9.06

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

61

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES

61

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Guarantee

61

Section 10.02

Right of Contribution

62

Section 10.03

No Subrogation

62

Section 10.04

Amendments, etc. with respect to the Notes Obligations

62

Section 10.05

Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional

63

Section 10.06

Reinstatement

63

Section 10.07

Payments

64

Section 10.08

Execution and Delivery

64

Section 10.09

Release of Guarantees

64

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 SECURITY

65

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Collateral and Security Documents

65

Section 11.02

Release of Liens on Collateral

65

Section 11.03

Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents

66

Section 11.04

Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Collateral Agent

66

Section 11.05

Appointment and Authorization of U.S. Bank National Association as Collateral Agent

66

Section 11.06

Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents

70

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

71

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Reserved

71

Section 12.02

Notices

71

Section 12.03

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

72

Section 12.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

72

Section 12.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

73

Section 12.06

Intercreditor Agreement

73

Section 12.07

Rules by Trustee and Agents

73

Section 12.08

No Personal Liability of Stockholders, Partners, Officers or Directors

73

Section 12.09

Governing Law

74

Section 12.10

Waiver of Jury Trial

74

Section 12.11

Force Majeure

74

Section 12.12

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

74

Section 12.13

Successors

74

 

iii



 

 

Page

 

 

 

Section 12.14

Severability

74

Section 12.15

Counterpart Originals

74

Section 12.16

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

75

Section 12.17

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act

75

 

Appendix A

Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes

 

 

Exhibit A

Form of Note

Exhibit B

Form of Supplemental Indenture

Exhibit C

Form of Transferee Letter of Representation

Exhibit D

Form of Security Agreement

Exhibit E

Form of First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

 

iv



 

INDENTURE, dated as of April 26, 2016 among Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the Guarantors named on the signature pages hereto and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee and as Collateral Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the creation of and issuance of $1,250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Initial Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has received good and valuable consideration for the execution and delivery of this Indenture and the Notes and each of the Guarantors has received good and valuable consideration for its execution and delivery of the Indenture and its Guarantee of the Notes Obligations;

 

WHEREAS, all necessary acts and things have been done to make: (1) the Notes, when duly issued and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, (2) the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Notes Obligations the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Guarantor and (3) this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and each Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company, each Guarantor and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01                             Definitions.

 

Additional Interest” means, if applicable, all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant and subject to Section 6.02(c).

 

Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01.

 

Additional Pari Passu Agreement” means any loan agreement, credit agreement, indenture or other agreement entered into by the Company after the Issue Date, if any, pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will incur Additional Pari Passu Obligations, and which has been designated as an “Additional First Lien Document” pursuant to and in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Additional Pari Passu Obligations” means all Obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising under, out of, or in connection with advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case that have been designated as ‘‘Additional First Lien Obligations’’ pursuant to and in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Additional Pari Passu Secured Parties” means the holders of any Additional Pari Passu Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto.

 



 

Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise..

 

Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or authenticating agent.

 

Aggregate Debt” means the sum of the following as of the date of determination: (1) the then aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication, incurred on or after the Issue Date and secured by Liens not permitted under Section 4.09(a) (determined in accordance with such Section); (2) the then aggregate outstanding amount of all Subsidiary Debt incurred on or after the Issue Date, without duplication, and not permitted under Section 4.07(a) (including as a result of the exclusions set forth in Section 4.07(b)); provided that any such Subsidiary Debt will be excluded from this clause (2) to the extent that such Subsidiary Debt (or the related Indebtedness) is included in clause (1) or (3) of this definition; and (3) the then existing Attributable Debt of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of sale and lease-back transactions, without duplication, entered into after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.08(b); provided that any such Attributable Debt will be excluded from this clause (3) to the extent of indebtedness relating thereto is included in clause (1) or (2) of this definition, provided further, in no event will the amount of any Indebtedness (including Guarantees of such Indebtedness) be required to be included in the calculation of Aggregate Debt more than once despite the fact more than one Person is liable with respect to such Indebtedness and despite the fact that such Indebtedness is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Domestic Restricted Subsidiary has Guaranteed or otherwise become liable for such Indebtedness or in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Indebtedness or one or more Guarantees thereof, the amount of Indebtedness so Guaranteed or secured shall only be included once in the calculation of Aggregate Debt).

 

Attributable Debt” means in connection with a sale and lease-back transaction the lesser of: (1) the fair value of the assets subject to such transaction, as determined in good faith by a Senior Officer of the Company; and (2) the present value of the minimum rental payments called for during the terms of the lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended), determined in accordance with GAAP, discounted at a rate that, at the inception of the lease, the lessee would have incurred to borrow over a similar term the funds necessary to purchase the leased assets.

 

Authorized Representative” means (1) with respect to the New Credit Facility Lenders and the New Credit Facility Obligations, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., (2) with respect to the holders of the Notes and the Notes Obligations, the Collateral Agent, and (3) in the case of any Series of Additional Pari Passu Obligations (and the Additional Pari Passu Secured Parties thereunder) that become subject to the Intercreditor Agreement after the Issue Date, the Authorized Representative named for such Series in the applicable joinder agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code, codified as Title 11, U.S. Code §101-1330, as amended.

 

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.

 

Boise Property” means all real property vested solely in the Company or a Guarantor at the location commonly known as 8000 S. Federal Way; Boise, Idaho 83716 together with all real property

 

2



 

vested solely in the Company or a Guarantor adjoining, contiguous to, or in vicinity of the Boise Property.

 

Business Day” means each day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares of stock of a corporation, partnership interests or other equivalent interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in such Person’s equity, entitling the holder to receive a share of the profits and losses, and a distribution of assets, after liabilities, of such Person.

 

CFC” means a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change of Control” means:

 

(1)                                 any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Company, its Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries, has filed a Schedule 13D or Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing that such person has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, unless such beneficial ownership (a) arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, and (b) is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or any successor schedule) under the Exchange Act, except that for the purpose of this clause (1) a person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that such person has the right to acquire irrespective of whether that right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time); provided, however, that a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under this clause (1) if (a) the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, and (b)(i) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (ii) immediately following that transaction no “person” or “group” (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company; or

 

(2) the Company sells, conveys, transfers or leases (either in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to, or merges or consolidates with, a Person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), other than any such merger or consolidation where the shares of the Company’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction; or

 

(3) the adoption of a plan relating to the Company’s liquidation or dissolution.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of (1) a Change of Control that is accompanied or followed by a downgrade of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period for such Change of Control by each of Moody’s and S&P (or, in the event Moody’s or S&P or both shall cease rating the Notes (for reasons outside the control of the Company) and the Company shall select any other nationally recognized rating agency, the equivalent of such ratings by such other nationally recognized rating agency) and (2) the rating of the Notes on any day during such Ratings Decline Period is below the lower of the rating by such nationally recognized rating agency in effect (a) immediately preceding the

 

3



 

first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to public announcement) and (b) on the Issue Date.

 

Collateral” means all “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and all of the other property and assets that are or are required under the terms hereof or under the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties.

 

Collateral Agent” means U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as collateral agent, and any successor thereto in such capacity.

 

Company” means Micron Technology, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by a Reference Treasury Dealer as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2019, that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2019.

 

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the arithmetic average, as determined by the Company, of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations; or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any Measurement Period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of (1) Consolidated Net Income; excluding (to the extent deducted or otherwise excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income in such Measurement Period), the following amounts (or, to the extent attributable to a non-wholly owned consolidated entity, a portion of the following amounts proportionate to the Company’s allocable interest in such entity): (2) Consolidated Non-cash Charges; (3) Consolidated Interest Expense; (4) Consolidated Income Tax Expense; (5) restructuring expenses and charges; (6) any expenses or charges related to any equity offering, Investment, recapitalization or incurrence of Indebtedness not prohibited under this Indenture (whether or not successful) or related to the issuance of the Notes; and (7) any charges, expenses or costs incurred in connection or associated with mergers, acquisitions or divestitures after the Issue Date.

 

Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the applicable Measurement Period to any asset sales or other dispositions or acquisitions, investment, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) by such Person and its Subsidiaries (1) that have occurred during such Measurement Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of such Measurement Period and on or prior to the date of the transaction in respect of which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined and (2) that the Company determines in good faith are outside the ordinary course of business, in each case as if such asset sale or other disposition or acquisition, investment, merger, consolidation or disposed operation occurred on the first day of such Measurement Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; provided that such pro forma calculations may include operating expense reductions for such period resulting from the transaction which is being given pro forma effect that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and have been realized or for which the steps necessary for realization have been taken or have been identified and are reasonably expected to be taken within one year following any such transaction (which operating expense reductions are reasonably expected to be sustainable); provided that, the Company shall not be

 

4



 

required to give pro forma effect to any transaction that it does not in good faith deem material. Such pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for (or benefit of) federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations, to the extent the same were deducted (or added back, in the case of income tax benefit) in computing Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the total net interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of net income (or loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by excluding, without duplication, the following (or, to the extent attributable to a non-wholly owned consolidated entity, a portion of the following amounts proportionate to the Company’s allocable interest in such entity): (1) all extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (net of fees and expense relating to the transaction giving rise thereto); (2) charges or losses as a result of judgments and settlements in connection with litigation or threatened litigation, up to a maximum in any Measurement Period of $1.0 billion; (3) gains or losses in respect of any asset impairments, write-offs or sales (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto); (4) any expenses, losses or charges incurred related to lower of cost or market write-downs for work in process or finished goods inventories; (5) any expenses, losses or charges incurred related to excess or obsolete inventories; (6) the net income (loss) from any disposed or discontinued operations or any net gains or losses on disposed or discontinued operations; (7) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; (8) any net gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, derivative instruments, embedded derivatives or other similar obligations; (9) equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees; (10) gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from the application of fair value accounting to derivative instruments; and (11) gains or losses resulting from currency fluctuations. In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses or charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment or sale, conveyance, transfer or disposition of assets not prohibited under this Indenture.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person, the total amount of assets of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (1) all current liabilities of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (excluding (a) the current portion of long-term debt and the portion of any convertible debt classified as “current” despite having a stated maturity more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is being computed and (b) any liabilities which are by their terms renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor thereon to a date more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is being computed) and (2) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and any other like intangibles of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person

 

5



 

for the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC and computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the aggregate depreciation; amortization (including amortization of goodwill, other intangibles, deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses); non-cash compensation expense incurred in connection with the issuance of Equity Interests to any director, officer, employee or consultant of such Person or any Subsidiary; and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period, (excluding any such charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to any Person, those subsidiaries of that Person whose financial data is, in accordance with GAAP, reflected in that Person’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Copyrights” means (1) all copyrights, database rights, design rights, mask works and works of authorship arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (2) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Copyright Licenses” means any written agreement naming the Company or any Guarantor as a party, granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, perform, display, manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Company.

 

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note or Additional Note (bearing the Restricted Note Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

 

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

6



 

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia other than any such Subsidiary that is (1) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of such Person or (2) a FSHCO.

 

Equity Interests” means all Capital Stock and all warrants or options with respect to, or other rights to purchase, Capital Stock, but excluding Indebtedness convertible into or exchangeable for equity.

 

Equity Offering” means a public or private offering for cash by the Company, or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, of its common stock or preferred stock (in the case of an offering by any direct or indirect parent of the Company, to the extent such cash proceeds are contributed to the Company), other than (1) public offerings registered on Form S-4 or S-8 or (2) an issuance to any Subsidiary or other Affiliate.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excluded Property Subsidiary” means (1) each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, (2) each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Material Subsidiary and (3) any not-for-profit Subsidiaries, captive insurance companies or other special purpose subsidiaries designated by Company from time to time.

 

Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the chief financial officer of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

 

Flood Insurance Laws” means, collectively, (1) National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (2) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (3) the Biggert-Waters Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than one that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

FSHCO” means with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of (1) Equity Interests of (and/or intercompany obligations owed or treated as owed by) one or more CFCs and (2) Equity Interests of one or more Subsidiaries described in this definition.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

 

Governmental Obligations” means securities that are:

 

(1)                                 direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

 

7



 

(2)                                 obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally Guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America,

 

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes this Indenture as a Guarantor on the Issue Date and each other Subsidiary of the Company that is a party to this Indenture as a Guarantor of the Notes, and each of their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Secured Note Guarantee by such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Note Register.

 

Indebtedness” means indebtedness for borrowed money. For the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness only includes indebtedness for the repayment of money borrowed, and does not include any other kind of indebtedness or obligation notwithstanding that such other indebtedness or obligation may be evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or other similar instrument, may be in the nature of a financing transaction, or may be an obligation that under GAAP is classified as “debt” or another type of liability, whether required to be reflected on the balance sheet of the obligor or otherwise.

 

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness that does not require the current payment of interest;

 

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness;

 

(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person (and not otherwise Guaranteed by the specified Person), the lesser of: (a) the fair value (as determined in good faith by a Senior Officer of the Company) of such assets at the date of determination; and (b) the principal amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person; and

 

(4) in respect of any Indebtedness of another Person Guaranteed by the specified Person or one or more of such Persons, the lesser of: (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person and (b) the maximum amount of such Indebtedness payable under the Guarantee or Guarantees (without duplication in the case of one or more Guarantees of the same Indebtedness by Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries).

 

8



 

In addition, accrual of interest and accretion or amortization of original issue discount will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific obligations in Section 4.07(b) shall not create any implication that any such obligations constitute Indebtedness.

 

Indenture” means this indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Initial Purchasers” means the initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 to the purchase agreement entered into in connection with the offer and sale of the Initial Notes and any initial purchasers party to any similar purchase agreement in connection with the issuance of any Additional Notes.

 

Interest” means, with respect to the Notes, interest with respect thereto and Additional Interest, if any.

 

Intellectual Property” means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, and any transferable rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, made by and among the Company, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent for the New Credit Facility, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance (or other extension of credit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property or assets to another Person or any other payments for property or services for the account or use of another Person) another Person, including, without limitation, the following: (1) the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership in another Person; and (2) the purchase, acquisition or Guarantee of the Indebtedness or other liability of another Person.

 

IP Agreements” means all agreements, permits, consents, orders and franchises relating to the license (including, without limitation, the Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses and Trademark Licenses), development, use or disclosure of any Material Intellectual Property to which the Company or any Guarantor, now or hereafter, is a party or a beneficiary.

 

Issue Date” means April 26, 2016.

 

Joint Venture” means, with respect to any Person, any partnership, corporation or other entity in which up to and including 50% of the Equity Interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

 

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions or the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee are not required to be open in the State of New York or the place of payment.

 

Lien” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or similar encumbrance, provided, however, that in no event shall either (1) any legal or equitable encumbrances deemed to exist

 

9



 

by reason of a negative pledge or (2) an operating lease or a non-exclusive license be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Make-Whole Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, the greater of:

 

(1)                                 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

(2)                                 the excess, if any, of:

 

(a)                                 the present value at such redemption date of (i) the Redemption Price of such Note that would apply if such Note were redeemed on April 15, 2019 plus (ii) all remaining scheduled payments of interest due on such Note to and including April 15, 2019, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

 

(b)                                 the sum of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus the principal amount of such Note.

 

The Trustee shall have no obligation to calculate or verify the calculations of the Make-Whole Premium.

 

Manassas Property” means all real property vested solely in the Company or a Guarantor at the location commonly known 9600 Godwin Drive; Manassas, Virginia 20110 together with all real property vested solely in the Company or a Guarantor adjoining, contiguous to, or in vicinity of the Manassas Property.

 

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (1) the business, financial condition, results of operations or properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (2) the ability of the Company and the Guarantors, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under the Notes, the Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, (3) the validity or enforceability of the Notes, the Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents taken as a whole or (4) the material rights and remedies available to, or conferred upon, the holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent under the Notes, the Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, taken as a whole (it being understood that any event or condition described in Section 6.01(h) that would not give rise to a Default or Event of Default thereunder shall not constitute a Material Adverse Effect under preceding clause (3) or (4)).

 

Material Intellectual Property” means any of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and each Guarantor and the material rights of the Company and each Guarantor under any IP Agreement, including material rights under a license agreement, that (1) is related to computer memory products manufactured and sold in commercial volumes, or processes used to make such products, by the Company and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries and (2) are rights that, if the Company and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries failed to own or have such rights, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Subsidiary” means each wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Company that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had total assets (based on book value) as of the end of such quarter in excess of $100,000,000 or that is designated by the Company as a “Material Subsidiary.”

 

10



 

Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Company for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC.

 

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Mortgaged Property” means collectively, the Boise Property and the Manassas Property and the other real properties of the Company or any Guarantor, as to which the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Notes and the other Pari Passu Secured Parties is or shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the Mortgages.

 

Mortgages” means collectively, each of the mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt and security deeds made by the Company or any Guarantor in favor of, or for the benefit of, the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the holders of the Notes, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; provided, however, in the event any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction which imposes mortgage recording taxes or similar fees, the applicable Mortgage shall not secure an amount in excess of 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Mortgaged Property.

 

New Credit Facility” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated on or about the Issue Date, made by and among the Company, as borrower, and the New Credit Facility Lenders party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, providing for up to $750,000,000 of term loans, including any related notes, Guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, regardless of whether such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing is with the same financial institutions or otherwise.

 

New Credit Facility Lenders” means the financial institutions and other Persons from time to time parties to the New Credit Facility as lenders and/or issuing banks.

 

New Credit Facility Obligations” means the Obligations (as defined in the New Credit Facility) under the New Credit Facility.

 

Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.  For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture and Notes to be issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Notes Obligations” means all Obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the holders of the Notes arising under, out of, or in connection with, the Notes, the Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including interest accruing after maturity and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, costs, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

11



 

Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum, dated April 14, 2016, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

 

Officer” means, with respect to the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Controller, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary.

 

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed in the name of the Company by (1) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, or any Vice President and (2) the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel which is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.  The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Pari Passu Obligations” means, collectively, the New Credit Facility Obligations, the Notes Obligations, and each Series of Additional Pari Passu Obligations.

 

Pari Passu Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Collateral Agent, the New Credit Facility Secured Parties and the Notes Secured Parties (each as defined below in the definition of “Series”), and any Additional Pari Passu Secured Parties.

 

Patents” means (1) all letters patent and patent rights of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, (2) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, and (3) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent License” means all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to the Company or any Guarantor of any right to make, have made, manufacture, use, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import or export any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(1)                                 Liens existing as of the Issue Date or arising thereafter pursuant to related agreements existing as of the Issue Date (other than Liens securing the New Credit Facility Obligations or the Notes Obligations);

 

(2)                                 Liens on property given to secure all or any part of the payment of or financing of all or any part of the purchase price thereof, or the cost of development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of all or any part thereof; provided that such Liens shall be given (or given pursuant to firm commitment financing arrangements obtained within such period) within 18 months (or in the case of Liens securing any Indebtedness supported by an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (a) the acquisition of such property and/or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement, whichever is later and (b) the placing into commercial operation of such property after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement and shall attach solely to the property acquired, or constructed, altered or repaired and any improvements then or thereafter placed thereon and the capital stock of any Person formed to acquire such property, and any proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and insurance proceeds thereof;

 

12



 

(3)                                 Liens existing on any property at the time of acquisition of such property or Liens existing on assets of a Person and its Subsidiaries prior to the time such Person becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to acquiring such property) (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or at the time of such acquisition (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens do not extend to other assets of the Company or its other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(4)                                 (a) Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person, including any Joint Venture, and its Subsidiaries which, when such Liens arise, concurrently becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or Liens on all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, including any Joint Venture, and its Subsidiaries arising in connection with the purchase or acquisition thereof or of an interest therein by the Company or a Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such Liens on the Equity Interests in or the assets of IM Flash Technologies, LLC or its Subsidiaries to secure obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to all or a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of any Equity Interests in or all or a portion of the assets of IM Flash Technologies, LLC and its Subsidiaries not owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date, and (b) Liens on Equity Interests in any Joint Venture of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any Subsidiary of the Company that owns an Equity Interest in a Joint Venture to secure Indebtedness contributed or advanced solely to that Joint Venture; provided that, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (a) and (b), such Liens do not extend to other assets of the Company or its other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness of up to 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to any strategic partner of the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with joint technology efforts between such partner and the Company and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries and/or the financing of manufacturing of products;

 

(6)                                 Liens in favor of the Company or a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(7)                                 Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanic’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, Liens in connection with legal proceedings and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory, common law or contractual provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to securities accounts, deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution;

 

(8)                                 Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or the affected Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

 

(9)                                 Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade or commercial contracts, government contracts, purchase, construction, sales and servicing contracts (including utility contracts), leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business, deposits as security for contested taxes, import or customs duties, liabilities to insurance carriers or for the payment of rent, and Liens to secure letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties given in connection with the foregoing obligations or in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security or similar laws and regulations;

 

13



 

(10)                          Liens in favor of any customer arising in respect of and not exceeding the amount of performance deposits and partial, progress, advance or other payments by the customer for goods produced or services rendered (or to be produced or rendered) to that customer and consignment arrangements (whether as consignor or consignee) or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods;

 

(11)                          Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods, documents of title and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligation in respect of letters of credit or banker’s acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment, or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(12)                          Liens and deposits securing netting services, business credit card programs, overdraft protection and other treasury, depository and cash management services or incurred in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds or other fund transfer or payment processing services;

 

(13)                          Liens on, and consisting of, deposits made by the Company to discharge or defease the Notes and this Indenture or any other Indebtedness;

 

(14)                          Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof (a) incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums or (b) with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to the extent of such Subsidiary’s interest as an insured under such policies;

 

(15)                          Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods and Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements;

 

(16)                          Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate amount, together with all other Indebtedness and other obligations secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed $100,000,000 at any one time outstanding; or

 

(17)                          any extension, renewal, substitution or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in this clause (17) or the preceding clauses (1) through (16), or any Liens that secure an extension, renewal, replacement, refinancing or refunding (including any successive extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings) of any Indebtedness within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment of the Indebtedness (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Indebtedness) being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded, which Indebtedness is or was secured by a Lien referred to in this clause (17) or the preceding clauses (1) through (16).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Liens in the definition of Permitted Liens shall not create any implication that the obligations secured by such Liens constitute Indebtedness.

 

Permitted Prior Lien” means a Permitted Lien of the type described in clauses (2), (3), (4), (5) or (13) of the definition thereof, or of the type described in clause (17) with respect to Liens of the type described in clause (2), (4), (5) or (13) of the definition thereof.

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

14



 

Principal Property” means, with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s interests in any kind of property or asset (including the capital stock in and other securities of any other Person), except such as the Board of Directors by resolution determines in good faith (taking into account, among other things, the materiality of such property to the business, financial condition and earnings of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole) not to be material to the business of the Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Ratings Decline Period” means, with respect to any Change of Control, the period that (1) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of such Change of Control or of the intention by the Company or a stockholder of the Company, as applicable, to effect such Change of Control or (b) the occurrence of such Change of Control and (2) ends on the 60th calendar day following consummation of such Change of Control; provided, however, that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as noted by the applicable rating agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable rating agency.

 

Record Date” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer” means two primary U.S. Government securities dealers selected by the Company, which may include any of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and each of their respective successors. If any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer, the Company will substitute another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a primary U.S. Government securities dealer.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, on any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by each Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding that redemption date.

 

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter hereunder, any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and when used with respect to the Collateral Agent, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Collateral Agent who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter hereunder, any other officer of the Collateral Agent to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean each Subsidiary of the Company, at least 80% of the Voting Stock of which is owned by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries of which at least 80% of the Voting Stock is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, provided that, for purposes of the foregoing, any Voting Stock owned by a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary based on the foregoing clause shall be excluded.

 

15



 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

Security Agreement” means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, made by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Collateral Agent, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Security Documents” means the Security Agreement, the mortgages, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust or other grants for security executed and delivered by the Company or any Guarantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Secured Note Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article 10.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Senior Officer” of any specified Person means the chief executive officer, any president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary or any assistant secretary.

 

Series” means (1) with respect to the Pari Passu Secured Parties, (a) Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent under the New Credit Facility, the New Credit Facility Lenders and the other holders of New Credit Facility Obligations (in their capacities as such, the “New Credit Facility Secured Parties”), (b) the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent (in their capacities as such, the “Notes Secured Parties”) and (c) the Additional Pari Passu Secured Parties that become subject to the Intercreditor Agreement after the Issue Date and that are represented by a common Authorized Representative; and (2) with respect to any Pari Passu Obligations, each of the New Credit Facility Obligations, the Notes Obligations, and the Additional Pari Passu Obligations incurred pursuant to any applicable agreement, which pursuant to a joinder agreement, are to be represented under the Intercreditor Agreement by a common Authorized Representative.

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Company as defined under clauses (1) or (2) of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act; provided that references to “10 percent” in clauses (1) and (2) of such definition shall be replaced with “20 percent.”

 

Stated Maturity,” means, with respect to any Notes or any installment of interest thereon, the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable.

 

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital

 

16



 

Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof). Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Title Insurance Company” means First American Title Insurance Company, or such other title insurance company as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

 

Trademark License” means any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to the Company or any Guarantor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

Trademarks” means (1) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, domain names, and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith (other than “intent to use” applications included in Excluded Property (as defined in the Security Agreement)), whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, and (2) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes” means Definitive Notes and any other Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding that redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that redemption date.

 

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

Trustee” means U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

 

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

Section 1.02                             Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Additional Interest Notice”

 

4.15

“Agent Members”

 

2.1(c) of Appendix A

 

17



 

Term

 

Defined in Section

“Applicable Procedures”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Authentication Order”

 

2.02(c)

“Clearstream”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Definitive Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e) of Appendix A

“Distribution Compliance Period”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“DTC”

 

2.03(b)

“Euroclear”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

“Expiration Date”

 

1.05(j)

“FEMA”

 

4.12(b)

“Global Note”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Global Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e) of Appendix A

“IAI”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Interest Payment Date”

 

Exhibit A

“New Credit Facility Secured Parties”

 

1.01 (in the definition of “Series”)

“Note Register”

 

2.03(a)

“Notes Secured Parties”

 

1.01 (in the definition of “Series”)

“offer”

 

Section 4.11(a)

“Offer Expiration Date”

 

Section 4.11(b)

“Offer to Purchase”

 

Section 4.11(a)

“Paying Agent”

 

2.03(a)

“purchase amount”

 

Section 4.11(b)

“purchase date”

 

Section 4.11(b)

“Purchase Price”

 

Section 4.11(b)

“QIB”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Registrar”

 

2.03(a)

“Regulation S”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.1(b) of Appendix A

“Regulation S Notes”

 

2.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 144”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Restricted Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

2.1(b) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

2.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 501”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 904”

 

1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Subsidiary Debt”

 

4.07(a)

“Successor Company”

 

5.01(a)

 

Section 1.03                             Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)                                 a term defined in Section 1.01 or 1.02 has the meaning assigned to it therein, and a term used herein that is defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, shall have the meaning assigned to it therein;

 

(2)                                 an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

18



 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)                                 unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Appendix,” “Article,” “Section,” “clause,” “Schedule” or “Exhibit” refers to an Appendix, Article, Section, clause, Schedule or Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

 

(6)                                 the words “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;

 

(7)                                 “including” means including without limitation;

 

(8)                                 references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

 

(9)                                 unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements or instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture; and

 

(10)                          in the event that a transaction meets the criteria of more than one category of permitted transactions or listed exceptions, the Company may classify such transaction as it, in its sole discretion, determines.

 

Section 1.04                             Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act and states that such provision is applicable to this Indenture, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities” means the Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees;

 

indenture security holder” means a Holder of a Note;

 

indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

 

obligor” on the Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees, respectively.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

19



 

Section 1.05                             Acts of Holders.

 

(a)                                 Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing.  Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are received by the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

 

(b)                                 The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved (1) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof or (2) in any other manner deemed reasonably sufficient by the Trustee.  Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit or other manner shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)                                  The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

 

(d)                                 Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

(e)                                  The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, or to vote on any action authorized or permitted to be taken by Holders; provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in clause (f) below.  Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 20 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or vote or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation or vote.  If any record date is set pursuant to this clause (e), the Holders on such record date, and only such Holders, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes, or each affected Holder, as applicable, in each case on such record date.  Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action to be taken by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.02.

 

20



 

(f)                                   The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to join in the giving or making of (1) any notice of default, (2) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 6.02, (3) any direction referred to in Section 6.05 or (4) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 6.06(a) and shall incur no liability whatsoever for the setting of such record date.  If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes or each affected Holder, as applicable, in each case on such record date.  Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.02.

 

(g)                                  Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.  Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

 

(h)                                 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary, that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

(i)                                     The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by a Depositary entitled under the procedures of such Depositary, if any, to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders; provided that if such a record date is fixed, only the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date.  No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date.

 

(j)                                    With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 1.05, the party hereto that sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 12.02, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date.  If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 1.05, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 120th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this clause (j).

 

21



 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01                             Form and Dating; Terms.

 

(a)                                 Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and Additional Notes are set forth in Appendix A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture.  The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rules or agreements with national securities exchanges to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company).  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

(b)                                 The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Company at the option of the Holders pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as provided in Section 4.11.  The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

 

Subject to Sections 4.07 and 4.09, Additional Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Company without notice to or the consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to ranking, status, security, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes (other than issue price or the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such Additional Notes except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such Additional Notes); provided that if any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.  Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

 

Section 2.02                             Execution and Authentication.

 

(a)                                 At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature.  If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

(b)                                 A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A by the manual signature of the Trustee.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

(c)                                  On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver Initial Notes bearing

 

22



 

the Restricted Notes Legend.  In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Authentication Order authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued hereunder.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.03                             Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and at least one office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”).  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange.  The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.  The Company may rescind or change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder.  The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(b)                                 The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.  The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

Section 2.04                             Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall, no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on any of the Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held in trust for the Holders entitled to the same, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.  The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.  In the event that the Paying Agent receives funds in advance of any due date, the Paying Agent shall be entitled to invest such funds in the U.S. Bank Money Market Deposit Account or any substantially similar successor account, any earnings on which shall be for the account of the Company.

 

23



 

Section 2.05                             Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders, and the Company shall otherwise comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 312(a).

 

Section 2.06                             Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)                                 The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A.

 

(b)                                 To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(c)                                  No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange (other than pursuant to Section 2.07), but the Holders shall be required to pay any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.11 and 9.05).

 

(d)                                 All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(e)                                  Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be required (1) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 or the making of an Offer to Purchase and ending at the close of business on the day of such sending, (2) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption or subject to purchase in an Offer to Purchase in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or purchased in part or (3) if a redemption or purchase pursuant to an Offer to Purchase is to occur after a Record Date but on or before the corresponding Interest Payment Date, to register the transfer of or exchange any Note on or after the Record Date and before the date of redemption or purchase.

 

(f)                                   Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(g)                                  Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail (or, in the case of Global Notes, cause to be transferred by book entry), in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

 

24



 

(h)                                 At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency.  Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail (or, in the case of Global Notes, cause to be transferred by book entry), the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.

 

(i)                                     All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 and Appendix A to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by mail or by facsimile or electronic transmission.

 

Section 2.07                             Replacement Notes.

 

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if a Holder claims that its Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and loss, destruction or theft of such Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met.  An indemnity bond must be provided by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge the Holder for the expenses of the Company and the Trustee in replacing a Note.  Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.08                             Outstanding Notes.

 

(a)                                 The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.  Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

 

(b)                                 If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser, as such term is defined in Section 8-303 of the UCC in effect in the State of New York.

 

(c)                                  If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, from and after such date it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

(d)                                 If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on the maturity date, any redemption date or any date of purchase pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, money sufficient to pay Notes payable or to be redeemed or purchased on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09                             Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that

 

25



 

a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

Section 2.10                             Temporary Notes.

 

Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.  Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11                             Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act).  The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12                             Defaulted Interest.

 

(a)                                 If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12.  The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date.  At least 10 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall send, or cause to be sent to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

(b)                                 Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue interest, which were carried by such other Note.

 

26



 

Section 2.13                             CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and/or ISIN numbers in notices of redemption or exchange or in Offers to Purchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange or in Offers to Purchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or exchange of Offer to Purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Company shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee of any change that the Company is aware of in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers.

 

Section 2.14                             Notes Beneficially Owned by Company and its Affiliates.

 

The Company and its Affiliates will not acquire any Notes or beneficial ownership thereof except in the form of a Definitive Note and will not retransfer any such Notes except in the form of a Definitive Note to the Company or its Affiliates.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

REDEMPTION

 

Section 3.01                             Notices to Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter period shall be agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (1) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (2) the redemption date, (3) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (4) the Redemption Price.

 

Section 3.02                             Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

 

(a)                                 If less than all of the Notes are to be so redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07 or purchased in an Offer to Purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed or purchased (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed or (2) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate, subject to The Depository Trust Company, Euroclear and/or Clearstream procedures as applicable.  In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the then outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

 

(b)                                 The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased.  Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in minimum amounts of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not $2,000 or an integral multiple of

 

27



 

$1,000 in excess thereof, shall be redeemed or purchased.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

 

(c)                                  After the redemption date, upon surrender of a Note to be redeemed in part only, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same Indebtedness to the extent not redeemed shall be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note (or appropriate book entries shall be made to reflect such partial redemption).

 

Section 3.03                             Notice of Redemption.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall send, or cause to be sent (or, in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission) notices of redemption of Notes at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to this Article at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8.  Except as set forth in Section 3.07(c), notices of redemption may not be conditional.

 

(b)                                 The notice shall identify the Notes (including CUSIP numbers) to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)                                 the redemption date;

 

(2)                                 the Redemption Price, including the portion thereof representing any accrued and unpaid interest;

 

(3)                                 if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed;

 

(4)                                 the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5)                                 that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

 

(6)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(7)                                 the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(8)                                 that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

 

(9)                                 if applicable, any condition to such redemption.

 

(c)                                  At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent

 

28



 

to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter period shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.03(b).

 

Section 3.04                             Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the Redemption Price (except as provided for in Section 3.07(c)).  The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.  Subject to Section 3.05, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

Section 3.05                             Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

 

(a)                                 Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date.  Subject to receipt of funds from the Company or the Trustee (as applicable), the Paying Agent shall promptly send to each Holder whose Notes are (and, in the case of an Offer to Purchase, if applicable, to holders of Indebtedness ranking pari passu with the Notes) to be redeemed or repurchased the applicable redemption or purchase price thereof and accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

(b)                                 If the Company complies with the provisions of Section 3.05(a), on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase on and after such date.  If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption or purchase date shall be paid on the relevant Interest Payment Date to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date.  If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 3.05(a), interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.

 

Section 3.06                             Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to the Holder (or cause to be transferred by book entry) at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same Indebtedness to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officers’ Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

 

29



 

Section 3.07                             Optional Redemption.

 

(a)                                 (1)  The Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to April 15, 2019, at the option of the Company upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice sent to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee), at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Make-Whole Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

(2)                                 At any time on or after April 15, 2019, at the option of the Company upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice sent to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee), the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at the Redemption Prices (expressed in percentage of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

Twelve-month period Beginning April 15,

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

103.750

%

2020

 

101.875

%

2021 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(3)                                 In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2019, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 107.500%, plus accrued interest to but excluding the redemption date; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued on the Issue Date remains outstanding after each such redemption, and (ii) notice of any such redemption is mailed within 60 days of the closing of the related Equity Offering.

 

(b)                                 Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.

 

(c)                                  Any redemption or notice, may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of a corporate transaction.

 

Section 3.08                             Sinking Fund.

 

The Company shall not be required to make mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01                             Payment of Notes; Additional Amounts.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.  Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying

 

30



 

Agent, if other than one of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, holds as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

(b)                                 The principal amount and accrued interest on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose; provided that, except in the case of a Global Note, the Company will pay interest (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address will appear in the Note Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to each Holder with an aggregate principal amount of Notes of any series in excess of $5,000,000, to the place and account designated in writing at least 15 days prior to the interest payment date by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Note Register.

 

(c)                                  The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02                             Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency, if other than an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

(b)                                 The Company may also from time to time designate additional offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

(c)                                  The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Section 4.03                             Provision of Financial Information.

 

(a)                                 The Company covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company has filed the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may prescribe) that the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than confidential filings, documents subject to confidential treatment and correspondence with the SEC); provided that in each case the delivery of materials to the Trustee by electronic means or filing of documents pursuant to the SEC’s “EDGAR” system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed to be “filed” with the Trustee as of the time such documents are filed via the “EDGAR” system (or such successor system) for purposes of this Section 4.03; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed pursuant to the “EDGAR” system (or its successor). Delivery of such information, documents and reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not

 

31



 

constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

(b)                                 At any time when the Notes remain outstanding and constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Company will furnish to the Holders of the Notes and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.04                             Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

(b)                                 Upon the Company becoming aware of any Default that has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Company shall promptly (which shall be no more than five Business Days following the date on which the Company becomes aware of such Default) send to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying such event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.05                             Reserved.

 

Section 4.06                             Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefits or advantages of any such law, and covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.07                             Limitation on Subsidiary Debt.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (any such Indebtedness or Guarantee, “Subsidiary Debt”), without causing such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to provide a Secured Note Guarantee, until such time as such Indebtedness or Guarantee, as the case may be, is no longer outstanding or in effect.

 

32



 

(b)                                 Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Subsidiary Debt in any computation under such restriction, Subsidiary Debt constituting:

 

(1)                                 Subsidiary Debt of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with or otherwise acquired by the Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or otherwise becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) and is assumed by such Subsidiary, other than any increase in the amount of such Subsidiary Debt (including any increase in the amount of such Subsidiary Debt arising pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such acquisition) incurred in contemplation thereof; provided that any such Subsidiary Debt is not Guaranteed by any other Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Guarantee existing at the time of such merger, consolidation or sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets and that was not issued in contemplation thereof);

 

(2)                                 Subsidiary Debt owed to the Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or under Guarantees of any such Subsidiary Debt;

 

(3)                                 Subsidiary Debt created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed to pay or finance the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of property, assets or equipment acquired or developed, operated, constructed, altered, repaired or improved by a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, and any related transactional fees, costs and expenses, provided such Subsidiary Debt is created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed within 18 months (or in the case of any Subsidiary Debt supported by an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (i) the acquisition or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of such property, assets or equipment, whichever is later, or (ii) the placing into commercial operation of such property after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement (or, in each case, is incurred pursuant to firm commitment financing arrangements obtained within such period), and, provided further, that the outstanding amount of such Subsidiary Debt, without duplication, does not exceed 100% of the fair value of the property or equipment acquired or developed, operated, constructed, altered, repaired or improved at the time such Subsidiary Debt is incurred;

 

(4)                                 Subsidiary Debt permitted to be secured by Liens permitted by clauses (4) or (5) of the definition of Permitted Lien (whether or not such Subsidiary Debt is in fact secured by such Liens) and any Guarantees thereof; or

 

(5)                                 Subsidiary Debt outstanding on the date of this Indenture and any extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding of any Subsidiary Debt existing on the date of this Indenture or referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4); provided that any Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Subsidiary Debt) of the Subsidiary Debt referred to in this clause (5) or clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above and the outstanding amount of the Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Subsidiary Debt being extended,

 

33



 

renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding Sections 4.07(a) and (b), any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may create, assume, incur, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for Indebtedness that would otherwise be subject to Section 4.07(a), without providing a Secured Note Guarantee, if after giving effect thereto, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the date of the creation or incurrence of the Subsidiary Debt. Any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary also may, without providing a Secured Note Guarantee, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Subsidiary Debt permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Subsidiary Debt) of the Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of the Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Guarantees of Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date under the New Credit Facility and under the Notes issued on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under this Section 4.07(c).

 

(d)                                 For purposes of this Section 4.07, in the event that any Subsidiary Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Subsidiary Debt in such Section, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Subsidiary Debt and only be required to include the amount and type of such Subsidiary Debt in one of clauses (1) through (5) of Section 4.07(b) or Section 4.07(c), and Subsidiary Debt may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Subsidiary Debt described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with this Section 4.07, in no event will the amount of any Subsidiary Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to any related Indebtedness (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Domestic Restricted Subsidiary incurs Subsidiary Debt or otherwise becomes liable for such Subsidiary Debt, the amount of such Subsidiary Debt shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

 

(e)                                  Any Subsidiary of the Company required to provide a Secured Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07(a) or that chooses to provide a Secured Note Guarantee shall (i) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit B or in such other form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall provide a Secured Note Guarantee, (ii) comply with Section 4.12, if applicable, and (iii) deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel.  The execution by such Subsidiary of a supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section 4.07(e) shall evidence the Secured Note Guarantee by such Subsidiary, whether or not the person signing as an officer of such Subsidiary still holds that office at the time of authentication of any Note.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee after authentication shall constitute due delivery of such Secured Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of such Subsidiary.

 

34



 

Section 4.08                             Limitation on Sale and Lease-back Transactions.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, to enter into any sale and lease-back transaction with respect to any Principal Property or Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:

 

(1)                                 such transaction was entered into prior to the Issue Date;

 

(2)                                 such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to the Company or a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary by the Company or any Subsidiary of any Principal Property or Collateral;

 

(3)                                 such transaction involves a lease of Principal Property or Collateral executed by the time of or within 18 months (or in the case of any transaction supported by the credit of an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (i) the acquisition or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of such property, assets or equipment or (ii) the placing into commercial operation of such Principal Property or Collateral after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement;

 

(4)                                 such transaction involves a lease for not more than three years (or which may be terminated by the Company or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary within a period of not more than three years);

 

(5)                                 the Company or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property to be leased in an amount equal to Attributable Debt with respect to such sale and lease-back transaction pursuant to Section 4.09(a); or

 

(6)                                 the Company or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the Principal Property to the purchase of other Principal Property or to the retirement, repurchase or other repayment or prepayment of Notes or other Pari Passu Obligations within 365 calendar days before or after the effective date of any such sale and lease-back transaction; provided that in lieu of applying such amount to such retirement, repurchase, repayment or prepayment, the Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation, such Notes to be credited at the cost thereof to the Company or such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 4.08(a), the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any sale and lease-back transaction which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions if after giving effect thereto and at the time of determination, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the closing date of the sale and lease-back transaction.

 

Section 4.09                             Limitation on Liens.

 

(a)                                 The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, to create or incur any Lien on any Principal Property or on Collateral, in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in order to secure any Indebtedness, except, in each case, Permitted Liens.

 

35



 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 4.09(a), the Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may create or incur Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 4.09(a), if after giving effect thereto, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the date of the creation or incurrence of the Lien; provided that any such Liens that are created or incurred in reliance on this Section 4.09(b) shall only secure Pari Passu Obligations. The Company or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company also may create or incur Liens that extend, renew, substitute or replace (including successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien created or incurred in reliance on this or the preceding sentence or that secure any extension, renewal, replacement, refinancing or refunding (including any successive extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings) of any Indebtedness within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment of the Indebtedness (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Indebtedness) being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded, which Indebtedness is secured by a Lien created or incurred in reliance on this or the preceding sentence.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date under the New Credit Facility and under the Notes issued on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under this Section 4.09(b).

 

(c)                                  For purposes of this Section 4.09, (1) the creation of a Lien to secure Indebtedness which existed prior to the creation of such Lien will be deemed to involve Indebtedness in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the asset subjected to such Lien and (y) the principal amount secured by such Lien, and (2) in the event that a Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens or Liens created or incurred in reliance on Section 4.09(b), the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Lien and only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien as a Permitted Lien or a Lien created or incurred in reliance on Section 4.09(b), and a Lien may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of such types of Liens. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with this Section 4.09, in no event will the amount of any Indebtedness or Liens securing any Indebtedness be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to such Indebtedness and despite the fact such Indebtedness is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Company and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries securing any Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness secured shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

 

Section 4.10                             Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (1) its corporate existence and (2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise if the Company in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.11                             Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

(a)                                 An “Offer to Purchase” means an offer by the Company to purchase Notes as required by this Indenture.  An Offer to Purchase must be made by written offer (the “offer”) sent to the Holders.  The Company will notify the Trustee at least 5 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to sending the offer to Holders of its obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the

 

36



 

offer will be sent by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

 

(b)                                 The offer must include or state the following, which shall (where applicable) be the terms of the Offer to Purchase:

 

(1)                                 the provision of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made;

 

(2)                                 the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (the “purchase amount”);

 

(3)                                 the purchase price, including the portion thereof representing accrued and unpaid interest (the “Purchase Price”);

 

(4)                                 an expiration date (the “Offer Expiration Date”) not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of the offer, and a settlement date for purchase (the “purchase date”) not more than five Business Days after the Offer Expiration Date;

 

(5)                                 that a Holder may tender all or any portion of its Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, subject to the requirement that any portion of a Note tendered must be in a minimum denomination of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

(6)                                 the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

 

(7)                                 that each Holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the offer will be required to surrender such Note at the place or places specified in the offer prior to the close of business on the expiration date (such Note being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed written instrument of transfer);

 

(8)                                 that interest on any Note not tendered, or tendered but not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, will continue to accrue;

 

(9)                                 that on the purchase date the Purchase Price will become due and payable on each Note accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, and, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price, interest on Notes purchased will cease to accrue on and after the purchase date;

 

(10)                          that Holders are entitled to withdraw Notes tendered by giving notice, which must be received by the Company, as applicable, or the Trustee not later than the close of business on the Offer Expiration Date, setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the tendered Notes, the certificate number of the tendered Notes and a statement that the Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of the tender;

 

(11)                          a statement that if Notes in an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the purchase amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company will purchase all such Notes;

 

37



 

(12)                          a statement that if any Note is purchased in part, new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Note will be issued; and

 

(13)                          a statement that if any Note contains a CUSIP number, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the offer and that the Holder should rely only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

 

(c)                                  Prior to the purchase date the Company will accept tendered Notes for purchase as required by the Offer to Purchase and deliver to the Trustee all Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate specifying which Notes have been accepted for purchase.  On the purchase date the Purchase Price will become due and payable on each Note accepted for purchase, and interest on Notes purchased will cease to accrue on and after the purchase date.  The Trustee will promptly return to Holders any Notes not accepted for purchase and send to Holders new Notes equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Notes accepted for purchase in part.

 

(d)                                 The Company will comply with Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws in making any Offer to Purchase, and the above procedures will be deemed modified as necessary to permit such compliance. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

 

(e)                                  Not later than 30 days following Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, the Company will make an Offer to Purchase all of the outstanding Notes at a Purchase Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the purchase date.

 

(f)                                   The Company will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase following a Change of Control Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Offer to Purchase in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to an Offer to Purchase made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase or (2) a notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07.

 

(g)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, an Offer to Purchase may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon the applicable Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of such Offer to Purchase.

 

(h)                                 Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.11, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.11 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06.

 

Section 4.12                             After-Acquired Collateral; Further Assurances.

 

(a)                                 With respect to any property acquired after the Issue Date by the Company or any Guarantor (other than any property or rights described in clauses (b) and (c) of this Section 4.12) that constitutes Collateral and as to which the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Notes Secured Parties, does not have a perfected Lien to the extent required by the Security Agreement, the Company and each applicable Guarantor shall promptly (and in the case of Intellectual Property, at least quarterly):

 

38



 

(1)                                 execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such amendments to the Security Agreement or such other documents as are necessary or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, a security interest in such property or rights; and

 

(2)                                 (A) file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or amendments thereto with the applicable filing office in the jurisdiction of formation or incorporation of the Company or such Guarantor (as applicable) and/or (B) record filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and U.S. Copyright Office within the time specified in the Security Agreement, as applicable, in each case, to perfect a security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, in such property or rights that is prior to all other Liens on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 4.09.

 

(b)                                 With respect to any fee interest in any real property located in the United States having a Fair Market Value (together with improvements thereof) of at least $100,000,000 acquired after the Issue Date by the Company or any Guarantor (other than any such real property subject to a Permitted Lien which precludes the granting of a Mortgage thereon), within 90 days after the acquisition thereof, the Company and each applicable Guarantor shall:

 

(1)                                 execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage or an amendment to an existing Mortgage (as appropriate), in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, covering such real property;

 

(2)                                 if requested by the Collateral Agent (or to the extent provided for the benefit of any other Pari Passu Secured Parties), provide the Notes Secured Parties with (A) either (x) title insurance covering such real property in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real property (or such other amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Collateral Agent) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, as well as a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor’s certificate or (y) where an amendment to an existing Mortgage has been delivered pursuant to clause (i) above, an endorsement to the existing title policy adding such property as an insured parcel, and (B) any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by the Collateral Agent (or to the extent provided for the benefit of any other Pari Passu Secured Parties) in connection with such Mortgage or Mortgage amendment (to the extent obtainable using commercially reasonable efforts), each of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(3)                                 if requested by the Collateral Agent or any other Authorized Representative, deliver to the Collateral Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and include opinions regarding the enforceability of such Mortgage and the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof; and

 

(4)                                 deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Standard Flood Hazard Determination (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Company or such Guarantor) with respect to such property and, if such property is located in an area identified by FEMA (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance required by Section 4.13.

 

(c)                                  With respect to any Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.07 or otherwise elects to become a Guarantor, within 60 days of the date such Subsidiary is

 

39



 

required to become a Guarantor (or such date of election if such election is made by such Subsidiary), the Company and each applicable Guarantor shall:

 

(1)                                 cause such Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Security Agreement, (B) file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or other filings in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Security Agreement or by law or as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent (or to the extent provided for the benefit of any other Pari Passu Secured Parties) to grant to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties a perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 4.09) in the Collateral with respect to such Subsidiary and (C) to deliver to the Collateral Agent a customary closing certificate of such Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, with appropriate insertions and attachments; and

 

(2)                                 if requested by the Collateral Agent or any other Authorized Representative, deliver to the Collateral Agent customary legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 4.13                             Maintenance of Insurance.

 

(a)                                 The Company and each Guarantor will maintain insurance policies (or self-insurance) on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually insured against by companies of a similar size engaged in the same or a similar business (after giving effect to any self-insurance which in the good faith judgment of management of the Company is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and each general liability policy of insurance maintained by the Company or any Guarantor shall name the Collateral Agent, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and each general property insurance policy maintained by the Company or any Guarantor shall contain a lender loss payable endorsement that names the Collateral Agent, as a joint loss payee thereunder as its interests may appear, provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) all proceeds from insurance policies shall be paid to the Company or any Guarantor, (ii) to the extent the Collateral Agent receives any proceeds, the Collateral Agent shall turn over to the Company any amounts received by it as an additional insured or lender loss payee under any property insurance maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) the Collateral Agent agrees that the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiary shall have the sole right to adjust or settle any claims under such insurance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries and any Collateral located outside of the United States, the requirements of this Section 4.13 shall be deemed satisfied if the Company obtains insurance policies that are customary and appropriate for the applicable jurisdiction. Upon the request of the Collateral Agent, the Company and the Guarantors will furnish to the Collateral Agent full information as to their general property and liability insurance carriers; and

 

(b)                                 if at any time any Mortgaged Property that remains subject to a Mortgage is at any time located in an area identified by FEMA (or any successor agent) as a special flood hazard area, then the Company shall, or shall cause the applicable Guarantor to, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

 

40



 

Section 4.14                             Post-Closing Obligations.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the date that is 90 days after the Issue Date (or such later date as the Controlling Collateral Agent may reasonably agree) (a) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record title holder of such Mortgaged Property, (b) to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (i) a policy or policies of title insurance (or marked unconditional commitment to issue such policy or policies) in the amount equal to not less than 100% (or such lesser amount as reasonably agreed to by the Controlling Collateral Agent) of the Fair Market Value of such Mortgaged Property and fixtures, as reasonably determined by the Company and agreed to by the Controlling Collateral Agent, issued by the Title Insurance Company insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a first priority Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except for Permitted Liens, together with such endorsements (other than a creditor’s rights endorsement) as are necessary or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request (or to the extent provided for the benefit of any other Pari Passu Secured Parties) to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates, (ii) such affidavits, instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as are customarily requested by the Title Insurance Company to induce the Title Insurance Company to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above, (iii) reasonably acceptable evidence of payment by the Company of all title policy premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the title policies referred to above, (iv) a survey of each Mortgaged Property in such form as shall be required by the Title Insurance Company to issue the so-called comprehensive and other survey-related endorsements and to remove the standard survey exceptions from the title policies and endorsements contemplated above (provided, however, that a survey shall not be required to the extent that the issuer of the applicable title insurance policy provides reasonable and customary survey-related coverages (including, without limitation, survey-related endorsements) in the applicable title insurance policy based on an existing survey and/or such other documentation as may be reasonably satisfactory to the title insurer), (v) completed “Life-of-Loan” FEMA Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property subject to the applicable FEMA rules and regulations (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Company and each Guarantor relating thereto) and (vi) if any Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by FEMA to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under applicable law, including Regulation H of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States and the other Flood Insurance Laws and as required by Section 4.13 and (c) such legal opinions as are delivered to any Pari Passu Secured Party or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property.

 

Section 4.15                             Additional Interest Notice.

 

In the event that the Company is required to or elects to pay Additional Interest to Holders of Notes, the Company will provide written notice (“Additional Interest Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than fifteen days prior to the proposed payment date for the Additional Interest, and the Additional Interest Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine whether or how much Additional Interest is due, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of Additional Interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Interest and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Additional Interest Notice.

 

41



 

ARTICLE 5

 

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01                             Consolidation, Merger and Conveyance, Transfer and Lease of Assets.

 

(a)                                 The Company may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties, rights and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, unless:

 

(1)                                 either (i) the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger is the Company or (ii) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties, rights and assets of the Company (the “Successor Company”), is an entity organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(2)                                 in any such transaction in which there is a Successor Company, the Successor Company expressly assumes the Company’s Obligations with respect to the Notes, this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents pursuant to supplemental indentures or other instruments or documents in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(3)                                 immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

(4)                                 in any such transaction in which there is a Successor Company, the Company or the Successor Company has delivered to the Trustee the certificates and opinions required under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

(b)                                 Section 5.01(a) shall not apply to:

 

(1)                                 a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction in the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; or

 

(2)                                 any consolidation or merger of (i) the Company into a Guarantor, (ii) a Guarantor into the Company or another Guarantor or (iii) a Subsidiary of the Company into the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(3)                                 any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of property, rights or assets (i) by the Company to a Guarantor, (ii) by a Guarantor to the Company or another Guarantor or (iii) by a Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company.

 

(c)                                  For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of Material Intellectual Property by the Company to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries in a single or series of related transactions where the conditions set forth in the proviso to Section 11.02(a)(6) have been satisfied shall not be considered a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all the properties, rights or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for purposes of this Article 5.

 

42



 

Section 5.02                             Successor Entity Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the properties, rights and assets of the Company to a Successor Company in accordance with the conditions described in Section 5.01, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Company had been named as the Company and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

ARTICLE 6

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01                             Events of Default.

 

Each of the following is an “Event of Default” under this Indenture:

 

(a)                                 failure by the Company to pay principal or premium, if any, on any Note when due at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise (including the failure to pay the repurchase price for Notes tendered pursuant to an Offer to Purchase);

 

(b)                                 failure by the Company to pay any interest (including Additional Interest) on any Note for 30 calendar days after the interest becomes due;

 

(c)                                  failure by the Company to comply with Section 4.11 in connection with a Change of Control Triggering Event and such failure continues for a period of 30 calendar days;

 

(d)                                 failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to perform, or breach by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, any other covenant, agreement or condition in this Indenture for 90 calendar days after either the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given the Company written notice of the breach in the manner required by this Indenture;

 

(e)                                  the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Debtor Relief Law:

 

(1)                                 commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(2)                                 consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking an arrangement of debt, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or relief under applicable Debtor Relief Laws;

 

(3)                                 consents to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

43



 

(4)                                 makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(f)                                   a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Debtor Relief Law that:

 

(1)                                 is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in a proceeding in which the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(2)                                 appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(3)                                 orders the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

provided that, in the cases of the foregoing clauses (e) and (f), (i) such event or circumstance is either (x) a voluntary proceeding or results therefrom or (y) under or pursuant to the laws of such Person’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization or the jurisdiction in which its head office is located or the laws of the jurisdictions in which all or substantially all its assets are located, and (ii) in no event shall any such event or circumstance constitute an Event of Default if such event or circumstance is a result of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar proceeding with respect such Person or its assets or business that was ongoing or in process at the time such Person became a Subsidiary of the Company (including any alternate proceedings) or other such proceedings that are in the nature of either a continuation or extension thereof.

 

(g)                                  default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness under the New Credit Facility or any Additional Pari Passu Agreement, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both: (i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or such default is with respect to another obligation under such Indebtedness and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing the payment of such Indebtedness to be accelerated and to become due prior to its stated maturity; and (ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness not so paid when due, or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100,000,000 or more;

 

(h)                                 any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) with respect to Collateral with a book value greater than $150,000,000, or the Company or any Guarantor shall so assert, or any Lien (affecting Collateral with a book value greater than $150,000,000) created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby (other than, in each case, pursuant to a failure of the Collateral Agent, any other agent appointed by the Collateral Agent or the Trustee to maintain possession over possessory collateral actually received by it) (it being understood that the release of Collateral from the Security Documents pursuant to their terms or the discharge of a Guarantor therefrom shall not be construed (x) as any of the Security Documents ceasing to be in full force and effect or (y) as any of the Liens created thereunder ceasing to be enforceable or of the same priority and effect purported to be created thereby) and such Default continues for 60 calendar days after

 

44



 

either the Trustee or holders of at least of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given the Company written notice of the Default; and

 

(i)                                     except as permitted by this Indenture, any Secured Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Guarantor denies or disaffirms in writing its obligations under its Secured Note Guarantee.

 

Section 6.02                             Acceleration.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or Section 6.01(f) with respect to the Company), then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind and annul such acceleration if such rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

 

(b)                                 If an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e) or Section 6.01(f) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest that is both accrued and unpaid on all the outstanding Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

 

(c)                                  In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(g) has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to Section 6.01(g) shall be remedied or cured, or waived by the holders of such Indebtedness, or the Pari Passu Obligations that gave rise to such Event of Default shall have been discharged in full, within 30 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company so elects, the sole remedy of the Holders for a failure to comply with any obligations the Company may have or is deemed to have pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act or the Company’s failure to comply with Section 4.03 will for the first 180 days after the occurrence of such failure consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% for the first 180 days after the occurrence of such failure.  The Additional Interest will accrue on all outstanding Notes from and including the date on which such failure first occurs until such violation is cured or waived and shall be payable on each relevant Interest Payment Date to Holders of record on the regular Record Date immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date.  On the 181st day after such failure (if such violation is not cured or waived prior to such 181st day), such failure will then constitute an Event of Default without any further notice or lapse of time and the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided above.  If the Company elects to pay Additional Interest pursuant to this clause (d), the Company will notify the Trustee at least three (3) Business Days before the Notes are eligible for acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02(a).

 

45



 

(e)                                  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive all past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest) and rescind any acceleration with respect to such defaults and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.03                             Other Remedies.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

(b)                                 The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.04                             Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing or past Default and its consequences hereunder, except:

 

(1)                                 a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase); and

 

(2)                                 a Default with respect to a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected,

 

provided, however, that, subject to Section 6.02, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration.  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05                             Control by Majority.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines in good faith is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder, is otherwise contrary to applicable law, or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which the Trustee has not received an indemnity or security against loss, liability or expense satisfactory to it, and the Trustee may take any other action it deems proper which is not inconsistent with any such direction received from the Holders.

 

46



 

Section 6.06                             Limitation on Suits.

 

(a)                                 No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless (1) such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, (2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee, (3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if accepted, provide indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee, to institute such proceeding as Trustee, (4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity or security and (5) the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.  Such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Note directly (as opposed to through the Trustee) for enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Note on or after the date the payment is due.

 

(b)                                 A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

 

Section 6.07                             Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on its Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note (including in connection with an Offer to Purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08                             Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or Section 6.01(b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of and premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid to but not including the date of payment on the Notes, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and their agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09                             Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings has been instituted.

 

Section 6.10                             Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and

 

47



 

remedy are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 6.11                             Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.12                             Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee may file proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and Collateral Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, their agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and is entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims.  Any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee and Collateral Agent any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and Collateral Agent and their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee and Collateral Agent under Section 7.07.  To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee and Collateral Agent under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.13                             Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

(a)                                 first, to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and Collateral Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

(b)                                 second, to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest respectively; and

 

48



 

(c)                                  third, to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, if applicable.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.  Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee shall cause notice of such record date and payment date to be given to the Company and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.02.

 

Section 6.14                             Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01                             Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

(b)                                 Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)                                 the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                 in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)                                 this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

49



 

(2)                                 the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)                                 the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

 

(d)                                 Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to Section 7.01 and Section 7.02.

 

(e)                                  The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture or the Security Documents at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02                             Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it shall require an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel subject to the other provisions of this Indenture.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)                                  Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

(f)                                   None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity or security satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

50



 

(g)                                  The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture.

 

(h)                                 In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(i)                                     The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, the Collateral Agent and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(j)                                    The Trustee may request that the Company or any Guarantor deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(k)                                 The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

Section 7.03                             Individual Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties.  The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 and 7.11.

 

Section 7.04                             Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s Disclaimer.

 

Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Secured Note Guarantees or the existence, genuineness, value or protection of or insurance with respect to any Collateral (except for the safe custody of Collateral in the Collateral Agent’s possession), for the legality, effectiveness or sufficiency or protection of any Security Document, or for the creation, perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Liens securing the Notes Obligations or any other Pari Passu Obligations.  Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Lien or security interest in the Collateral.  Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be liable or responsible for the failure of the Company to effect or maintain insurance on the Collateral nor shall either of them be responsible for any loss by reason of want or insufficiency in insurance or by reason of the failure of any insurer in which the insurance is carried to pay the full amount of any loss against which it may have insured the Company, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, or any other person.  Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the

 

51



 

Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05                             Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Holder a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs.  Except in the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or Section 6.01(b), the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if the Trustee determines in good faith that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to know of any Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

Section 7.06                             Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a)                                 Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with the May 15 following the Issue Date, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall send to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted).  The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b)(2).  The Trustee shall also transmit all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

 

(b)                                 A copy of each report at the time of its sending to the Holders shall be sent to the Company and filed with each national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d).  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in the event the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, and of any delisting thereof.

 

Section 7.07                             Compensation and Indemnity.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall pay to the Trustee and Collateral Agent from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time.  The Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee and Collateral Agent promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s agents and counsel.  The Trustee and Collateral Agent shall provide the Company reasonable notice of any expenditure not in the ordinary course of business.

 

(b)                                 The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and the Collateral Agent for, and hold each of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and any predecessor Trustee or Collateral Agent, and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07)) or defending themselves against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Company, any Guarantor or any other Person, or liability in

 

52



 

connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.  The Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be) shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be) to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or the Guarantors of their respective obligations hereunder.  The Company and the Guarantors shall defend the claim and the Trustee (or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be) may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by (i) the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence or (ii) the Collateral Agent through the Collateral Agent’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(c)                                  The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                 When the Trustee or the Collateral Agent incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

(e)                                  To secure the Company’s and each Guarantor’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on particular Notes.  Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 7.08                             Replacement of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.  The Trustee may resign in writing at any time by giving 30 days’ prior notice of such resignation to the Company and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(3)                                 a receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                 the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

(b)                                 If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

53



 

(c)                                  If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense), the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(d)                                 If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)                                  A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to Holders.  The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

(f)                                   As used in this Section 7.08 and Section 7.09, the term “Trustee” shall also include the Collateral Agent and each Agent.

 

Section 7.09                             Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the successor corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee, subject to Section 7.10.

 

Section 7.10                             Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

(a)                                 There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation or national banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

(b)                                 This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b). There shall be excluded from the operation of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company or any of the Guarantors are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b)(1) are met.

 

Section 7.11                             Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

54



 

Section 7.12                             Collateral Agent.

 

The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be compensated, reimbursed, and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Collateral Agent as if the Collateral Agent were named as the Trustee herein and the Security Documents were named as this Indenture herein.

 

ARTICLE 8

 

DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01                             Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

The Company may terminate its and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Secured Note Guarantees and the Security Documents when:

 

(a)                                 either:

 

(1)                                 all the Notes that have been authenticated and delivered have been accepted by the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Notes which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07); or

 

(2)                                 (x) all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture have become due and payable; (y) all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture have or will become due and payable at the Stated Maturity within one year; or (z) all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture are subject to redemption within one year (and the Company shall have entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption), and in each case, the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making payments to the Holders under this Indenture an amount (which may include Governmental Obligations), dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders, sufficient to pay and discharge all outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture on the Stated Maturity or the scheduled date of redemption; and

 

(b)                                 the Company shall have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture; and

 

(c)                                  the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

If the foregoing conditions are met, the Trustee, on demand and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments prepared by the Company acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture, the Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees and the release of the Liens securing the Secured Note Guarantees except as to:

 

(i)                              rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Notes;

 

(ii)                               the Company’s right of optional redemption;

 

(iii)                               substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes;

 

55



 

(iv)                              rights of Holders to receive payment of the principal amount, premium (if any) and interest when due and payable, solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Section 8.01;

 

(v)                              the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(vi)                              the rights of the Holders as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; and the rights of the Company to be repaid any money pursuant to Section 8.05 and Section 8.06.

 

Section 8.02                             Legal Defeasance.

 

Upon making the deposit referred to in Section 8.02(a), the Company will be deemed to have paid and the Company and the Guarantors will be discharged from their obligations in respect of the Notes, this Indenture, the Secured Note Guarantees and the Security Documents, other than their obligations in Article 2 and Sections 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08 and as set forth in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 8.01; provided that the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                 the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments, dedicated solely to the benefit of the holders of the Notes in cash or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any Paying Agent to the Company in accordance with Section 8.06) in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal, premium (if any) and interest when the same becomes due and payable at Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase or otherwise or if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense;

 

(b)                                 unless the Notes have become due and payable or will become due and payable at Stated Maturity or upon redemption within one year and, in the case of redemption, the Company has entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name of the Trustee, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as a result of an IRS ruling or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law, the holders of the Notes will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur;

 

(c)                                  no Default or Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Notes has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit;

 

(d)                                 the defeasance will not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, assuming all Notes were in default within the meaning of such Act;

 

(e)                                  the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture and the Notes) to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and

 

56



 

(f)                                   the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance have been complied with.

 

Upon and following the satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the Trustee upon request will acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Indenture, the Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees and the release of the Liens securing the Secured Note Guarantees except for the surviving obligations specified above.

 

Section 8.03                             Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon making the deposit referred to in Section 8.02(a), the failure of the Company to perform the obligations set forth in Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.14 and the events described in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) will no longer constitute an Event of Default; provided that the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                 the Company has complied with clauses (a), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of Section 8.02; and

 

(b)                                 unless the Notes have become due and payable or will become due and payable at Stated Maturity or upon redemption within one year and, in the case of redemption, the Company has entered into arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name of the Company, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of the Notes will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur,

 

Except as specifically stated above and provided in Section 10.09 and Section 11.02, none of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes will be discharged pursuant to this Section 8.03.

 

Section 8.04                             Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Notes.

 

Subject to Section 8.06, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.02 and 8.03 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders of the particular Notes for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium (if any) and interest.  Such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 8.05                             Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent.

 

In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes, all moneys held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture at the time of such satisfaction and discharge shall, upon demand of the Company, be repaid to the Company or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.

 

57



 

Section 8.06                             Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years.

 

Subject to applicable abandoned property law, any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or premium (if any) on or interest on any Note and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal, premium or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, at the Company’s request, be repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such Paying Agent, and the Holder of the Note shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Company for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any Paying Agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

 

Section 8.07                             Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and each Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes the Secured Note Guarantees and the Security Documents shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.01, 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01                             Without Consent of Holders.

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to time, may amend this Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents to:

 

(a)                                 evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company or successive successions and the assumption of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company by a successor;

 

(b)                                 add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to surrender any of its rights or powers;

 

(c)                                  add Events of Default for the benefit of Holders of the Notes;

 

(d)                                 add to, change or eliminate any provision of this Indenture applying to the Notes, provided that the Company deems such action necessary or advisable and that such action does not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of the Notes;

 

(e)                                  evidence and provide for a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent or to add to or change any provisions to the extent necessary to appoint a separate Trustee or Collateral Agent for the Notes;

 

58



 

(f)                                   cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency under this Indenture;

 

(g)                                  supplement any provisions of this Indenture necessary to defease and discharge the Notes or this Indenture otherwise in accordance with the defeasance or discharge provisions, as the case may be, of this Indenture, or to make other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any Notes in any material respect;

 

(h)                                 to add to, change or eliminate any provisions of this Indenture to comply with the provisions of the DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or the Trustee with respect to provisions of this Indenture or the Notes relating to transfers or exchanges of Notes or beneficial interests in the Notes;

 

(i)                                     add collateral security for the Notes or to release collateral in accordance with Article 11, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents;

 

(j)                                    to provide for or release Guarantors in accordance with Section 4.07 or Article 10;

 

(k)                                 to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes ranking equally with the Notes in all respects (other than the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such Additional Notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such Additional Notes);

 

(l)                                     conform any provision of the Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents to the “Description of Notes” contained in the Offering Memorandum; or

 

(m)                             provide for the accession or succession of any parties to the Intercreditor Agreement or the Security Documents (and other amendments that are administrative or ministerial in nature) in connection with an amendment, refinancing or other modification from time to time of the Notes, the New Credit Facility or Additional Pari Passu Agreements.

 

Section 9.02                             With Consent of Holders.

 

The Company may enter into one or more supplemental indentures and supplements or amendments to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, if applicable, with the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, if applicable, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes affected by such supplemental indenture, supplement or amendment to the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement; provided, however, that, no such supplemental indenture, supplement or amendment shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby,

 

(a)                                 reduce the rates of or changes the time for payment of interest on any Notes;

 

(b)                                 reduce the principal amount of, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Notes;

 

(c)                                  reduce the Redemption Price, including upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, of any Notes or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders thereof the Company’s obligation to make such payments;

 

(d)                                 change the currency of payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest;

 

59



 

(e)                                  reduce the quorum requirements under this Indenture;

 

(f)                                   reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification of this Indenture, for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture, for waiver of certain Defaults or consent to take any action;

 

(g)                                  adversely affect the ranking of the Notes or the Secured Note Guarantees;

 

(h)                                 waive any default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest;

 

(i)                                     release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Secured Note Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; or

 

(j)                                    impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Notes or the Secured Note Guarantees.

 

In addition, any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security Document that has the effect of releasing all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Notes or of modifying the Intercreditor Agreement in any manner adverse in any material respect to the holders of the Notes will require consent of the holders of at least 66% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

 

Section 9.03                             Reserved.

 

Section 9.04                             Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

(a)                                 Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note.  However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

(b)                                 The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date pursuant to Section 1.05 for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver.

 

Section 9.05                             Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated.  The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

(b)                                 Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

60



 

Section 9.06                             Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee and Collateral Agent, if applicable, shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and Collateral Agent, if applicable.  In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee and Collateral Agent, if applicable, shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which may contain customary qualifications) stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, supplement or waiver, as applicable, complies with the provisions hereof and of the provisions of the Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreement and such amended or supplemental indenture, supplement or waiver, as applicable, is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company or guarantor (as applicable), enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE 10

 

GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01                      Guarantee.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, and to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and their respective successors and assigns, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity upon redemption, purchase pursuant to an offer to purchase, acceleration or otherwise) of all Notes Obligations.  Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

(b)                                 Without limiting the generality of anything herein, or in any other Security Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to such amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum liability and all other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such Guarantor that are relevant under applicable Federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws, fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws, or similar such laws, result in the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under applicable Federal or state laws (after giving effect to all rights of subrogation, contribution or reimbursement, subject to Section 10.03).

 

(c)                                  Each Guarantor agrees that the Notes Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Article 10 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or any Notes Secured Party hereunder.

 

(d)                                 Each Guarantor’s guarantee contained in this Article 10 shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all Notes Obligations guaranteed hereby or the release of such Guarantor’s guarantee in accordance with Section 10.09.

 

(e)                                  No payment made by the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Collateral Agent or any Notes Secured Party from the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Notes Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the

 

61



 

liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Notes Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Notes Obligations), remain liable for the Notes Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby or the release of such Guarantors guarantee in accordance with Section 10.

 

Section 10.02                      Right of Contribution.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment.  Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 10.03.  The provisions of this Section 10.02 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

Section 10.03                      No Subrogation.

 

Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders, no Guarantor shall be entitled to seek or enforce its right to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders against the Company or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent, the Trustee or the Holders for the payment of the Notes Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until payment in full of all Notes Obligations guaranteed hereby or the release of such Guarantor’s guarantee in accordance with Section 10.09.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Notes Obligations shall not have been paid in full or such payment is otherwise prohibited pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee for the benefit of itself, the Collateral Agent and the Holders in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Notes Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Trustee may determine in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Section 10.04                      Amendments, etc. with respect to the Notes Obligations.

 

Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Notes Obligations made by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder may be rescinded by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder and any of the Notes Obligations may be continued, and the Notes Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released in accordance with this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, and the Security Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.  None of the Collateral Agent, Trustee nor any Notes Secured Party shall have any

 

62



 

obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Notes Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Article 10 or any property subject thereto.

 

Section 10.05                      Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional.

 

Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Notes Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder upon the guarantee contained in this Article 10 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Article 10; the Notes Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 10; and all dealings between the Company and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Article 10.  Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Company or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Notes Obligations.  Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Article 10 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of any Security Documents, any of the Notes Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Company or any other Person against the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Company, such Guarantor or any other Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Company or any other obligor for the Notes Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Article 10, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.  When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the Holders may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as they may have against the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Notes Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the Holders to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Company, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the Holders against any Guarantor.  For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

Section 10.06                      Reinstatement.

 

The guarantee contained in this Article 10 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Notes Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Company or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

63



 

Section 10.07                      Payments.

 

Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid in U.S. dollars without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

 

Section 10.08                      Execution and Delivery.

 

To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its authorized officers.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

If required by Section 4.07, the Company shall cause any newly created or acquired Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.07, Section 4.12 and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

 

Section 10.09                      Release of Guarantees.

 

The Secured Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released (and thereupon shall terminate and be discharged and be of no further force and effect) upon:

 

(a)                                 the release or discharge of the Indebtedness of or Guarantee by such Subsidiary that resulted in the creation of such Secured Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07(a) (or would have resulted in the creation of a Secured Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07(a) had such Secured Note Guarantee not already been in place) other than a discharge of (1) a Guarantee as a result of payment under such Guarantee or (2) Indebtedness as a result of the acceleration of such Indebtedness due to a default or event of default under the terms thereof;

 

(b)                                 a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary such that such Subsidiary is no longer a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if such sale or other disposition is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture;

 

(c)                                  if such Subsidiary was not required to create a Secured Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.07(a) but did so at its option, upon the request by such Subsidiary of release at any time; provided that after giving effect to such release, the Company would be in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 4.07;

 

(d)                                 upon the Company exercising the legal defeasance option, or the Company’s obligations under the Indenture being discharged, in accordance with Article 8; or

 

(e)                                  upon payment in full of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, on all Notes then outstanding and all other Notes Obligations (other than contingent liabilities for which no claim has been asserted).

 

64



 

Upon written direction of the Company and delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, will execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence or effect the release of any Subsidiary from its obligations under its Secured Note Guarantee. Upon any release of a Subsidiary from its Secured Note Guarantee, such Subsidiary shall also be released, without any further action by such Subsidiary or the Company, from its Notes Obligations under the Security Documents.

 

ARTICLE 11

 

SECURITY

 

Section 11.01                      Collateral and Security Documents.

 

(a)                                 The Notes Obligations shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure the Notes Obligations, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.  The Company and the Guarantors will comply with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents, to the extent required under the Security Documents and subject to the limitations therein, do or cause to be done all things (including the filing of UCC financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto) which are necessary to confirm that the Collateral Agent holds a Lien in the Collateral, including property that becomes Collateral after the Issue Date.

 

Section 11.02                      Release of Liens on Collateral.

 

(a)                                 The Liens on the Collateral will be released with respect to the Notes and the Guarantees, as applicable:

 

(1)                                 in whole, upon payment in full of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, on all Notes then outstanding and all other Notes Obligations (other than contingent liabilities for which no claim has been asserted);

 

(2)                                 in whole, upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Section 8.01;

 

(3)                                 in whole, upon a legal defeasance or a covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03, respectively;

 

(4)                                 as set forth under Sections 9.01 and 9.02;

 

(5)                                 with respect to assets of a Guarantor, upon release of such Guarantor from its Secured Note Guarantee pursuant to Section 10.09; and

 

(6)                                 as to any asset constituting Collateral (A) that is sold or otherwise disposed of by the Company or any Guarantor (to a person that is not the Company or a Guarantor) in a transaction not prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents (to the extent of the interest sold or disposed of, including as a result of any investments of Collateral in non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture and the Security Documents) or (B) that is otherwise released in accordance with this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents (including in connection with the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien); provided in each case that if any such transaction is a sale, transfer or other disposition (whether in the form of an exclusive license or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the Material

 

65



 

Intellectual Property to any person (in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions), unless such transaction or series of related transactions is pursuant to a Change of Control not prohibited by Article 5 or a sale, transfer or other disposition to a Guarantor or a Person that becomes a Guarantor in connection with such transaction, this Indenture and the Security Documents provide that the Collateral Agent shall be required to take any such action requested by the Company to effect the release of any Collateral if and only if each of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (x) there is no Default or Event of Default immediately prior to or after giving effect to such transaction(s) (as certified to the Collateral Agent in the Officers’ Certificate referred to in the following clause (y)), and (y) the Company shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate certifying that (1) the Company has determined that such conveyances and/or transfers are necessary or desirable in connection with a reorganization, restructuring, optimization or other similar event/action in furtherance of the business interests of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (2) each transferee in such transaction or series of transactions is a Restricted Subsidiary, and (3) the Company has or will receive consideration for such Material Intellectual Property that constitutes Fair Market Value of such Material Intellectual Property as determined by the Company in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

(b)                                 Upon compliance by the Company or any Guarantor, as the case may be, with the conditions precedent required by this Indenture, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent shall promptly cause to be released and reconveyed to the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, without recourse or warranty, the released Collateral.

 

Section 11.03                      Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents.  Such funds shall be held on deposit by the Trustee without investment, and the Trustee shall have no liability for interest or other compensation thereon.

 

Section 11.04                      Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Collateral Agent.

 

In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article 11 upon the Company or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Company or such Guarantor or of any officer or officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article 11; and if the Collateral shall be in the possession of the Collateral Agent under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 11.05                      Appointment and Authorization of U.S. Bank National Association as Collateral Agent.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby designates and appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent under this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and the Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental

 

66



 

thereto.  The Collateral Agent agrees to act as such and agrees to act pursuant to the instructions of the Holders and the Trustee with respect to the Security Documents and the Collateral on the express conditions contained in this Section 11.05.  The provisions of this Section 11.05 are solely for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and none of the Trustee, any of the Holders nor the Company or any of the Guarantors shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained in this Section 11.05 other than as expressly provided in Section 11.02.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise exist against the Collateral Agent.  The grant of permissive rights or powers to the Collateral Agent shall not be construed to impose duties to act. The obligations of the Collateral Agent with respect to the Collateral shall be governed exclusively by the express terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and not by the UCC except to the extent required by applicable law.  Neither duties of, nor any adverse consequence to, a secured party under the UCC shall be read into this Indenture or the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement as obligations against the Collateral Agent to the extent such obligations are not reflected in the express terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Indenture with reference to the Collateral 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 merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

(b)                                 The Collateral Agent may execute any of its duties under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement by or through agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or through its related Persons and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent, employee, attorney-in-fact or related Person that it selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

(c)                                  None of the Collateral Agent, nor any of its respective related Persons shall (i) be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by any of them in good faith and reasonably believed by them to be authorized or within the discretion or rights of powers under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or under or in connection with any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Trustee or any Holder for any recital, statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company or any Guarantor, officer or related Person thereof, contained in this Indenture or any other indenture, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this Indenture or any other indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Indenture or any other indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or for any failure of the Company, any Guarantor or any other party to this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  None of the Collateral Agent or any of its related Persons shall be under any obligation to the Trustee or any Holder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this or any other Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements or to inspect the properties, books, or records of the Company or any Guarantor.

 

67



 

(d)                                 The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex, or telephone message, statement, or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Company or any Guarantor), independent accountants and other experts and advisors selected by the Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Indenture or any other indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Trustee as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Holders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Indenture or any other indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement in accordance with a request or consent of the Trustee and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Holders.

 

(e)                                  The Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, unless a Responsible Officer of the Collateral Agent shall have received written notice from the Trustee or the Company or a Guarantor referring to this Indenture, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  The Collateral Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Trustee in accordance with Article 6 (subject to this Section 11.05).

 

(f)                                   U.S. Bank National Association and its Affiliates (and any successor Collateral Agent and its affiliates) may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with the Company or any Guarantor and its Affiliates as though it was not the Collateral Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Trustee.  The Trustee and the Holders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, U.S. Bank National Association or its Affiliates (and any successor Collateral Agent and its affiliates) may receive information regarding the Company or any Guarantor or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Company, such Guarantor or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to the Trustee or the Holders.  Nothing herein shall impose or imply any obligation on the part of U.S. Bank National Association (or any successor Collateral Agent) to advance funds.

 

(g)                                  The Collateral Agent may resign at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Trustee and the Company and the Guarantors, such resignation to be effective upon the acceptance of a successor agent to its appointment as Collateral Agent.  If the Collateral Agent resigns under this Indenture, the Company shall appoint a successor Collateral Agent.  If no successor Collateral Agent is appointed prior to the intended effective date of the resignation of the Collateral Agent (as stated in the notice of resignation), the Collateral Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Trustee, subject to the consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld and which shall not be required during a continuing Event of Default), a successor Collateral Agent.  If no successor Collateral Agent is appointed and consented to by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence within thirty (30) days after the intended effective date of resignation (as stated in the notice of resignation) the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor collateral agent hereunder, such successor Collateral Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent, and the term “Collateral Agent” shall mean such successor Collateral Agent, and the retiring Collateral Agent’s appointment, powers and duties as the Collateral Agent shall be terminated.  After the retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder,

 

68



 

the provisions of this Section 11.05 (and Sections 7.07 and 11.06) shall continue to inure to its benefit and the retiring Collateral Agent shall not by reason of such resignation be deemed to be released from liability as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Collateral Agent under this Indenture.  U.S. Bank National Association shall initially act as Collateral Agent and shall be authorized to appoint co-Collateral Agents as necessary in its sole discretion.  Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein or in the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents or other related Persons shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The Collateral Agent shall be accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

(h)                                 The Collateral Agent shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with the direction from the Trustee or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.  If the Collateral Agent shall request direction from the Trustee or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes with respect to any action, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such action unless and until the Collateral Agent shall have received direction from the Trustee or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and security or indemnity satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and the Collateral Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. The Company and the Guarantors recognize and agree that the interest in the Collateral is vested in the Collateral Agent, and that the Collateral Agent shall be designated as secured party for UCC purposes pursuant to the requirements of the Holders of the Notes for the express purpose of providing security on the Notes Obligations, and not for the purpose of advancing any personal interests of the Collateral Agent or the Trustee therein. Consequently, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9-210 of the UCC, the Company and each Guarantor agrees that any request for issuance of an estoppel certificate, request for accounting, list of Collateral, or status of the account in any manner relating to the existence or perfection of any portion of the Collateral shall be delivered to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and to the Holders of the Notes. The Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty or obligation to the Notes Secured Parties under any provision of the UCC with respect to any request for issuance of an estoppel certificate, request for accounting, list of Collateral, or status of the account in any manner relating to the existence or perfection of any portion of the Collateral, including but not limited to any obligation under Sections 9-210 of the UCC, and the Trustee and the Collateral Agent shall be obligated to respond to any such request only upon receipt of a written direction to do so signed by Holders representing not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding.

 

(i)                                     If at any time or times the Trustee shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations secured by the Security Documents arising under, or relating to, this Indenture, except for any such proceeds or payments received by the Trustee from the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or (ii) payments from the Collateral Agent in excess of the amount required to be paid to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee shall promptly turn the same over to the Collateral Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to the Collateral Agent.

 

(j)                                    The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Trustee or any of the Holders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Company or any Guarantor or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly

 

69



 

or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, including without limitation, any duty to file or record any financing statements, continuation statement or other documents to perfect or maintain the perfection of the Collateral Agent’s security interest, or to determine whether all of the Company’s or Guarantor’s property constituting collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Security Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the genuineness, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, the Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given the Collateral Agent’s own interest in the Collateral and that the Collateral Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to the Trustee or any Holder as to any of the foregoing.

 

(k)                                 No provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement or any Security Document shall require the Collateral Agent (or the Trustee) to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers hereunder or thereunder if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(l)                                     The Collateral Agent (i) shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Collateral Agent was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts, (ii) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Company (and money held in trust by the Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law) and (iii) may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to legal matters relating to this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(m)                             Neither the Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control.  Such acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages (included but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.

 

(n)                                 The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification as provided in Section 7.07.

 

Section 11.06                      Intercreditor Agreement and Security Documents.

 

Each of the Trustee and Collateral Agent is hereby directed and authorized to execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreement and any Security Documents in which it is named as a party.  It is hereby expressly acknowledged and agreed that, in doing so, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent are not responsible for the terms or contents of such agreements, or for the validity or enforceability thereof, or the sufficiency thereof for any purpose.  Whether or not so expressly stated therein, in entering into, or taking (or forbearing from) any action under pursuant to, the Intercreditor Agreement or any Security Document, the Trustee and Collateral Agent each shall have all of the rights, immunities, indemnities and

 

70



 

other protections granted to each of them under this Indenture (in addition to those that may be granted to each of them under the terms of such other agreement or agreements).

 

ARTICLE 12

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01                      Reserved.

 

Section 12.02                      Notices.

 

(a)                                 Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and (1) delivered in person, (2) mailed by first-class mail (certified or registered, return receipt requested) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery or (3) sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, to the others’ addresses:

 

If to the Company:

 

Micron Technology, Inc.
8000 South Federal Way
Boise, Idaho  83716-9632 100
Fax No.: (208) 368-4540
Attention:  General Counsel

 

With a copy to:
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
650 Page Mill Road
Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
Fax No:  (650) 493-6811
Attention:  John A. Fore

 

If to the Trustee and/or the Collateral Agent:

 

U.S. Bank National Association
Global Corporate Trust Services
633 West Fifth Street, 24
th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
Fax No:  (213) 615-6197
Attention:  Paula Oswald (Micron Technology, Inc. 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026)

 

The Company, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

(b)                                 All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; on the first date of which publication is made if by publication; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if mailed by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee or Collateral Agent shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

 

71



 

(c)                                  Subject to Section 12.02(e), any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail (certified or registered, return receipt requested) or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register.  Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act.  Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

(d)                                 Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

(e)                                  Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Note, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Note (or its designee), pursuant to the applicable procedures of such Depositary, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee and Collateral Agent agree to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured facsimile or electronic .pdf transmission; provided, however, that (1) the party providing such written notice, instructions or directions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee and Collateral Agent in a timely manner, and (2) such originally executed notice, instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such notice, instructions or directions.  Neither the Trustee nor Collateral Agent shall be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s and Collateral Agent’s reasonable reliance upon and compliance with such notice, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notice, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent notice, instructions or directions.

 

(g)                                  If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

(h)                                 If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03                      Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

Section 12.04                      Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)                                 an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signer(s), all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; provided that no Officers’ Certificate shall be

 

72



 

required in connection with the issuance of Notes on the Issue Date or the entering into of the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement on the Issue Date; and

 

(2)                                 an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 and which may contain customary qualifications) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with; provided that no such Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the issuance of Notes on the Issue Date or the entering into of the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement on the Issue Date and any Opinion of Counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officers’ Certificate.

 

Section 12.05                      Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04) shall include:

 

(1)                                 a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(2)                                 a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)                                 a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officers’ Certificate as to matters of fact); and

 

(4)                                 a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Section 12.06                      Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders are bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.  It is expressly agreed that the other parties to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 12.06.

 

Section 12.07                      Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 12.08                      No Personal Liability of Stockholders, Partners, Officers or Directors.

 

No director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator, past, present or future, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any personal liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee, stockholder, general or limited partner or incorporator.

 

73



 

Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 12.09                      Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 12.10                      Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS, THE TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

Section 12.11                      Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee or Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture and the Security Documents arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and Collateral Agent shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

Section 12.12                      No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.13                      Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in this Indenture shall bind its successors.  All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in this Indenture.

 

Section 12.14                      Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.15                      Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or .pdf transmission shall constitute effective execution and

 

74



 

delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or .pdf shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 12.16                      Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.17                      U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

 

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account.  For a non-individual person such as a business entity, a charity, a trust or other legal entity the Trustee and Collateral Agent will ask for documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity.  The Trustee and Collateral Agent may also ask to see financial statements, licenses, identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.  The parties each agree to provide all such information and documentation as to themselves as requested by the Trustee and Collateral Agent to ensure compliance with federal law.

 

[Signatures on following page]

 

75



 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ernest E. Maddock

 

Name:

Ernest E. Maddock

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

Vice President, Finance

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

 

GUARANTOR

 

 

 

MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven L. Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Steven L. Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Title:

President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee and Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paula M. Oswald

 

 

Name:

Paula M. Oswald

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 



 

APPENDIX A

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES
AND ADDITIONAL NOTES

 

Section 1.1                                    Definitions.

 

(a)                                 Capitalized Terms.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Appendix A have the meanings given to them in this Indenture.  The following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

 

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Global Note, Euroclear or Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

 

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

Distribution Compliance Period”, with respect to any Note, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Note is first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Company to the Trustee, and (b) the date of issuance with respect to such Note or any predecessor of such Note.

 

Euroclear” means the Euroclear Clearance System or any successor securities clearing agency.

 

Global Note” means a Note in registered global form without interest coupons, including without limitation, the Rule 144A Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note.

 

IAI” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and is not a QIB.

 

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 501” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                 Other Definitions.

 

Term:

 

Defined in Section:

“Agent Members”

 

2.1(c)

 

1



 

Term:

 

Defined in Section:

“Definitive Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e)

“Global Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e)

“Regulation S Global Note”

 

2.1(b)

“Regulation S Notes”

 

2.1(a)

“Restricted Notes Legend”

 

2.3(e)

“Rule 144A Notes”

 

2.1(a)

“Rule 144A Global Note”

 

2.1(b)

 

Section 2.1                                    Form and Dating.

 

(a)                                 The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof shall be (i) offered and sold by the Company to the Initial Purchasers and (ii) resold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”) and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”).  Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and, except as set forth below, IAIs in accordance with Rule 501.

 

(b)                                 Global Notes.  Rule 144A Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Regulation S Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more global Notes (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and bearing the Global Notes Legend and Restricted Notes Legend, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in the Indenture.  Beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall not be exchangeable for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note or any other Note without a Restricted Notes Legend until the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period.  Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions.  Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 of the Indenture and Section 2.3(c) below.

 

(c)                                  Book-Entry Provisions.  This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

 

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.2 and pursuant to an order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Custodian.

 

Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all

 

2



 

purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

(d)                                 Definitive Notes.  Except as provided in Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes.

 

Section 2.2                                    Authentication.  The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $1,250,000,000 and, (b) subject to the terms of the Indenture, Additional Notes.  Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes.

 

Section 2.3                                    Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a)                                 Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes.  When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:

 

(i)                                     to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

 

(ii)                                  to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

 

the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

 

(1)                                 shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

(2)                                 in the case of Transfer Restricted Notes, are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

(A)                               if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Initial Notes); or

 

(B)                               if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to the Company, a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Initial Notes); or

 

(C)                               if such Definitive Notes are being transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or in reliance upon another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (x) a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Initial Notes) and (y) if the Company so requests, an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to them as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the applicable legends set forth in Section 2.3(e)(i).

 

3



 

(b)                                 Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note.  A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below.  Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, together with:

 

(i)                                     (A) certification (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Initial Notes) that such Definitive Note is being transferred (1) to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, (2) to an IAI that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter substantially in the form of Exhibit C or (3) outside the United States of America in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S and in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act; or (B) such other certification and Opinion of Counsel as the Trustee shall require; and

 

(ii)                                  written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase, then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled.  If no Global Notes are then outstanding and the Global Note has not been previously exchanged for certificated securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(c)                                  Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.  (i)  The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor.  A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note or another Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.  Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, shall be made only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification in the form provided on the reverse of the Initial Notes from the transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Regulation S or (if available) Rule 144 under the Securities Act and that, if such transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, the interest transferred shall be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

(ii)                                  If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

 

4



 

(iii)                               Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

(iv)                              In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.4, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

(d)                                 Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Note.  (i) Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream.  During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be sold, pledged or transferred through Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (1) to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (2) so long as such security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person whom the selling holder reasonably believes is a QIB that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (3) in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S, (4) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act or another available exemption, (5) to an IAI purchasing for its own account, or for the account of such an IAI, in a minimum principal amount of Notes of $250,000 or (6) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States of America.  Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through the Rule 144A Global Note shall be made only in accordance with Applicable Procedures and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form provided on the reverse of the Initial Notes to the effect that such transfer is being made to (1) a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A or (2) an IAI purchasing for its own account, or for the account of such an IAI, in a minimum principal amount of the Notes of $250,000 (in which case the transferee must furnish a signed letter substantially in the form of Exhibit C to the Trustee).  Such written certification shall no longer be required after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period.

 

(ii)                                  Upon the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be transferable in accordance with applicable law and the other terms of the Indenture.

 

(e)                                  Legends.

 

(i)                                     Except as permitted by this Section 2.3(e), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only) (“Restricted Notes Legend”):

 

“THE OFFERING AND SALE OF THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS

 

5



 

AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE NEXT SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER:

 

(1)                                 REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT AN “AFFILIATE” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. AND (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A “QIB”), OR (B) IT HAS ACQUIRED THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT;

 

(2)                                 AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN EXCEPT (A) TO MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (C) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR 904 OF REGULATION S OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY) OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION; AND

 

(3)                                 AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.

 

AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS” AND “UNITED STATES” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING.”

 

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Definitive Notes Legend”):

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

6



 

Each Global Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Global Notes Legend”):

 

“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”

 

(ii)                                  Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144.

 

(iii)                               Reserved.

 

(iv)                              Reserved.

 

(v)                                 Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period of any Initial Note or Additional Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note or Additional Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note or Additional Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.

 

(vi)                              Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(vii)                           To the extent that any Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes held by or on behalf of the Depositary, the Company may, but is not obligated to, cause the Restrictive Notes Legend on any such Global Notes to be removed (or deemed removed) and cause such Global Notes to be identified by an unrestricted CUSIP at any time on or after the one year anniversary of the later of (x) the Issue Date and (y) the date on which Additional Notes were last issued (it being understood that, if Additional Notes bear a different CUSIP, the date after which the Company may cause the Restrictive Notes Legend to be removed (1) with respect to the Initial Notes, shall be the one year anniversary of the issuance of the Initial Notes, and (2) with respect to such Additional Notes, shall be the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of such Additional Notes), without delivering an Opinion of Counsel, by delivering to the Trustee a

 

7



 

written notice (x) certifying that all Notes represented by such Global Notes would be freely tradable under Rule 144 by a person who is not an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 144) and has not been an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 144) during the immediately preceding three months, (y) instructing the Trustee to take any actions as may be necessary so that the Restricted Notes Legend set forth on the Global Notes shall be deemed removed from the Global Notes in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Notes and the Indenture, without further action on the part of Holders and (z) instructing the Trustee to take any actions as may be necessary so that the restricted CUSIP number for the Notes shall be removed from the Global Notes and replaced with an unrestricted CUSIP number. Immediately upon receipt of such notice by the Trustee the Restricted Notes Legend will be deemed removed from each of the Global Notes specified in such notice and the restricted CUSIP number will be deemed removed from each of such Global Notes and deemed replaced with an unrestricted CUSIP number.  If the Company executed and the Trustee authenticated Global Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend on the Issue Date, then upon receipt of the notice set forth in this Section 2.3(e)(vii), the Trustee shall increase the principal amount of the Global Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Restricted Global Notes and decrease the principal amount of and cancel the Restricted Global Notes without an Authentication Order.

 

(viii)                        From and after the one year anniversary of the issue date of any Transfer Restricted Note, upon written direction of the Company:

 

(A)                               The Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange any Transfer Restricted Note that is a Definitive Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar and the Company that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 and that such Holder is not (and has not been during the preceding three months) an affiliate (as defined under Rule 144) of the Company; and

 

(B)                               Beneficial interests in a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in Global Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar and the Company that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 and that such Holder is not (and has not been during the preceding three months) an “affiliate” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144.

 

(f)                                   Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note.  At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depositary to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Custodian for such Global Note) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

 

(g)                                  Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

 

(i)                                     To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

8



 

(ii)                                  No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 4.11 and 9.05 of the Indenture).

 

(iii)                               Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(iv)                              All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of the Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(h)                                 No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)                                     The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes.  All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note).  The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary.  The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(ii)                                  The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under the Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of the Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(iii)                               Reserved.

 

(iv)                              In connection with any exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that bears a Restricted Notes Legend for any Global Note that does not bear a Restricted Notes Legend in accordance with Section 2.3(e), if a Global Note that does not bear a Restricted Notes Legend is not then outstanding (or an insufficient principal amount of such Global Notes are outstanding to permit such exchange) and the Global Notes have not been previously exchanged for certificated securities pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, one or

 

9



 

more new Global Notes without the Restricted Notes Legend in the appropriate principal amounts.

 

Section 2.4                                    Definitive Notes.

 

(a)                                 A Global Note deposited with the Depositary or with the Trustee as Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such cessation, or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depository or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depository, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Notes under the Indenture. In addition, any Affiliate of the Company that is a beneficial owner of all or part of a Global Note may have such Affiliate’s beneficial interest transferred to such Affiliate in the form of a Definitive Note, by providing a written request to the Company and the Trustee and such Opinions of Counsel, certificates or other information as may be required by the Indenture or the Company or Trustee.

 

(b)                                 Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct.  Any certificated Initial Note or Additional Note in the form of a Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Global Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(f), bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

(c)                                  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the registered Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)                                 In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

10



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

[Insert the Restricted Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Global Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Definitive Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1



 

CUSIP [                     ]

ISIN [                     ](1)

 

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S][GLOBAL] NOTE

 

7.500% Senior Secured Note due 2023

 

No.      

[Up to][$              ]

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

promises to pay to CEDE & CO. or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of                                              U.S. Dollars] on September 15, 2023.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  March 15 and September 15

 

Record Dates:  March 1 and September 1

 


(1)         Rule 144A Note CUSIP: 595112 BH5

Rule 144A Note ISIN: US595112BH53

Regulation S Note CUSIP: U5933L AF8

Regulation S Note ISIN: USU5933LAF86

 

A-2



 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

Dated: [          ] [  ], 20[  ]

 

 

 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

A-3



 

[Back of Note]

 

7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

1.             INTEREST.  Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 7.500% per annum from and including April 26, 2016(2) until but excluding maturity and shall pay Additional Interest, if any.  The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”).  If any Interest Payment Date, redemption date or maturity date is not a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the period after such payment was due to such next succeeding Business Day.  Interest on the Notes shall accrue from and including the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including the date of issuance; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 15, 2016.  The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) on overdue installments of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

2.             METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company shall pay interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes to the Persons who are registered holders of Notes at the close of business on March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.  Principal of and premium, if any, and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, including Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of and interest, including Additional Interest, if any, and premium, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which hold in excess of $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount and shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent.  Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

3.             PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders.  The Company is required to maintain a Paying Agent in each place of payment for the Notes at all times.  The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 


(2) With respect to the Initial Notes.

 

A-4



 

4.             INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), between the Company, the Guarantors named therein, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent.  This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Company designated as its 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023.  The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by specific incorporation from the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms.  To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

5.             REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE; SATISFACTION, DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE.

 

The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be subject of an Offer to Purchase, as further described in the Indenture.  The Company shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or mandatory sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. The Notes are subject to satisfaction, discharge and defeasance as further described in the Indenture.

 

6.             DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and Holders shall be required to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.  Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the sending of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.

 

7.             PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

8.             AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  The Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

9.             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights and obligations of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders shall be as set forth in the Indenture.

 

10.          COLLATERAL.  The Notes and the Secured Note Guarantees are secured by a Lien on the Collateral of the Company and the Guarantors, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.  The Collateral Agent holds the Lien on the Collateral in trust for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders in each case pursuant to the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.  Each Holder, by accepting this Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the foreclosure and release of Collateral) and the Intercreditor Agreement as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and the Indenture, and authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith.

 

A-5



 

11.          AUTHENTICATION.  This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

 

12.          GOVERNING LAW.  THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

 

13.          CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.  Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:

 

c/o Micron Technology, Inc.
8000 South Federal Way
Boise, Idaho  83716-9632 100
Fax No.: (208) 368-4540
Attention:  General Counsel

 

A-6



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-7



 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

 

This certificate relates to $                principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)         book-entry or           definitive form by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

o                                    has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above) in accordance with the Indenture; or

 

o                                    has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the holding period referred to in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

o                                    to the Company or subsidiary thereof; or

 

o                                    to the Registrar for registration in the name of the Holder, without transfer; or

 

o                                    pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

o                                    inside the United States of America to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

o                                    outside the United States of America in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

o                                    to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or

 

o                                    pursuant to another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4), (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

A-8



 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee

 

Signature of Signature Guarantor

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-9



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have all of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

[     ]

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$                     

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on  on the face of this Note)

 

 

Tax Identification No.:

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10



 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

 

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $[          ].  The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of

decrease
in Principal
Amount

 

Amount of increase
in Principal
Amount of this
Global Note

 

Principal Amount of
this Global Note
following such
decrease or increase

 

Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee or
Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11



 

EXHIBIT B

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

Dated as of [·]

 

Among

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

[Guarantor]

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee and as Collateral Agent

 

7.500% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2023

 

B-1



 

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), entered into as of [•], among Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), [insert each Guarantor executing this Supplemental Indenture and its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization] (collectively “Undersigned”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (in its capacity as such, the “Trustee”) and as collateral agent (in its capacity as such, the “Collateral Agent”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture), the Trustee and the Collateral Agent entered into the Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), relating to the Company’s 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances a Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture without the consent of Holders.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Undersigned, the Company, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of Holders as follows:

 

1.                                      Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

2.                                      Guarantee. The Undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to the Indenture as a Guarantor and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to a Guarantor, including Article 10 thereof.

 

3.                                      Enforceability. The execution of this Supplemental Indenture shall constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Undersigned, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

4.                                      Notation not Required. Neither the Company nor the Undersigned shall be required to make a notation on the Notes to reflect the Guarantee or any release, termination or discharge thereof.

 

5.                                      Governing Law. The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Supplemental Indenture.

 

6.                                      Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signature for all

 

B-2



 

purposes and each signed copy of this Supplemental Indenture shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

7.                                      Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

8.                                      The Trustee and the Collateral Agent. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Undersigned and the Company.

 

9.                                      Successors. All agreements of the Undersigned in the Indenture, this Supplemental Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Guarantee shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

 

10.                               No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Supplemental Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Supplemental Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

 

11.                               Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Supplemental Indenture, nor the consent to any departure by the Undersigned therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Undersigned in any case shall entitle the Undersigned to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstance.

 

12.                               Confirmation of Indenture.  Except as supplemented and amended hereby, all provisions of the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect, and the Indenture is hereby affirmed and ratified.

 

B-3



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC., as Company

By:

Name:

Title:

[GUARANTOR]

By:

Name:

Title:

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent

By:

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

 

B-4



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF
TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

 

c/o Micron Technology, Inc.
8000 South Federal Way
Boise, Idaho  83716-9632 100
Fax No.: (208) 368-4540
Attention:  General Counsel

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[       ] principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) of Micron Technology, Inc. (the “Company”).

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

 

1.                                      We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $250,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act.  We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business.  We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

 

2.                                      We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence.  We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”), to a person we reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer under Rule 144A (a “QIB”) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States of America within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of $250,000, or (f) pursuant to any other available

 

C-1



 

exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws.  The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date.  If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Company and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.  Each purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Trustee reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause (c), (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee.

 

 

TRANSFEREE:                     ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by:

 

 

C-2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT]

 

D-1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

[FORM OF FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT]

 

E-1


Exhibit 10.1

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

and certain of its Subsidiaries

 

in favor of

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of April 26, 2016

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 1.

Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

1.2

Other Definitional Provisions

8

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

[Reserved]

9

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

Grant of Security Interest

9

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

Representations and Warranties

10

 

 

 

4.1

Title; No Other Liens

10

4.2

Perfected First Priority Liens

10

4.3

Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office

10

4.4

Investment Property

10

4.5

Intellectual Property

11

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

Covenants

11

 

 

 

5.1

Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation

11

5.2

Changes in Name, etc.

12

5.3

Intellectual Property

12

5.4

Delivery of Pledged Notes

14

5.5

Investment Property

14

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

Remedial Provisions

15

 

 

 

6.1

Certain Matters Relating to Receivables

15

6.2

Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable

15

6.3

Investment Property and Instruments

16

6.4

Proceeds to be Turned Over to Collateral Agent

16

6.5

Application of Proceeds

17

6.6

Code and Other Remedies

17

6.7

Registration Rights

18

6.8

Subordination

19

6.9

Deficiency

19

6.10

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

19

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

The Collateral Agent

19

 

 

 

7.1

Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.

19

7.2

Duty of Collateral Agent

21

7.3

Financing Statements

21

7.4

Authority of Collateral Agent

22

7.5

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement

22

7.6

Rights of the Collateral Agent

22

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

 

 

 

Page

SECTION 8.

Miscellaneous

22

 

 

 

8.1

Amendments in Writing

22

8.2

Notices

23

8.3

No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies

23

8.4

Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification

23

8.5

Successors and Assigns

23

8.6

[Reserved]

24

8.7

Counterparts

24

8.8

Severability

24

8.9

Section Headings

24

8.10

Integration

24

8.11

GOVERNING LAW

24

8.12

Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

24

8.13

Acknowledgements

25

8.14

Additional Grantors; Release of Grantors; Releases of Collateral

25

8.15

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

27

 

ANNEXES

 

 

 

 

Annex I

 

 

Name of Grantors

Annex II

 

 

Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

 

Copyright Security Agreement

Exhibit B

 

 

Patent Security Agreement

Exhibit C

 

 

Trademark Security Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

 

Notice Address

Schedule 2

 

 

Investment Property

Schedule 3

 

 

Perfection Matters

Schedule 4

 

 

Jurisdiction of Organizational and Chief Executive Offices

Schedule 5

 

 

Intellectual Property

 

ii



 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. (the “Company”) and each of the Non-Company Grantors (as defined below) from time to time hereto, in favor of U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the holders of the Notes (the “Holders”) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Non-Company Grantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has issued, and may in the future issue, Notes under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Non-Company Grantors (as defined below) are engaged in related businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the issuance of the Notes under the Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to secure its respective Obligations, and each Non-Company Grantor has agreed to secure its respective Obligations, in each case by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first-priority security interest in the Collateral described herein; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in accordance with the Indenture, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                            Defined Terms

 

1.1                               Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the New York UCC:  Accounts (as defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC), Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Documents, Equipment, Fixture, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Letter-of-Credit Rights and Supporting Obligations.

 

(b)                                 The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property”: as defined in Section 5.3(c).

 

Agreement”: this Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Capital Lease Obligations”: the obligations of any 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 leases 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.

 

CFC”: a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Collateral”: as defined in Section 3.

 

Collateral Account”: any collateral account established by the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 6.1 or Section 6.4.

 

Company Obligations”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Notes and all other obligations and liabilities of the Company (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Indenture after the maturity of the respective Notes and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Indenture after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Company, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or any Holder, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Indenture, the Notes, this Agreement, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Security Documents, or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, premiums (if any), reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent that are required to be paid by the Company pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).

 

Controlling Collateral Agent”: as defined in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Copyrights”:  (i) all copyrights, database rights, design rights, mask works and works of authorship arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished (including, without limitation, those listed in Schedule 5), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Copyright Licenses”: any written agreement naming any Grantor as a party, granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, perform, display, manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Copyright Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Default”: any “Default” under and as defined the Indenture.

 

2



 

Deposit Account”: as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and, in any event, including, without limitation, any demand, time, savings, passbook or like account maintained with a depositary institution.

 

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary”: means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia other than any such Subsidiary that is (1) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of such Person or (2) a FSHCO.

 

Excluded Property”:  with respect to any Grantor, (i) Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock constituting more than 65% of the total voting power of all outstanding Capital Stock of such subsidiary (including for this purpose any voting debt security or other voting instrument that is treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes); (ii) any Equity Interests of an Excluded Property Subsidiary, or joint ventures and non-wholly owned Subsidiaries which cannot be pledged without the consent of third parties, (iii) any fee-owned real property (other than the Mortgaged Property), Fixtures (other than Fixtures on or to Mortgaged Property) or leasehold interest in real property, (iv) all vehicles and other assets covered by a certificate of title, (v) property subject to a purchase money arrangement or Capital Lease Obligation only to the extent and for so long as the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted prohibits the creation of any other Lien securing Indebtedness on such property, (vi) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby only for so long as the applicable license, franchise, charter or authorization prohibits or restricts the creation by such Grantor of a security interest in such license, franchise, charter or authorization, (vii) any lease, license, contract or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in (A) the abandonment, invalidation, voiding or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (B) a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Requirement of Law or principles of equity), provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately and automatically at such time as the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation, voiding or unenforceability shall be remedied and, to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement that does not result in any of the consequences specified in (A) or (B) including any Proceeds of such lease, license, contract or agreement, (viii) any property of a Grantor to the extent and for so long as the grant of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in such Grantor’s right, title or interest therein is prohibited by applicable Requirement of Law (including any requirement to obtain the consent of any Governmental Authority or third party); provided that the foregoing exclusions in this clause (vii) shall in no way be construed to apply to the extent that the prohibition is unenforceable under Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Requirement of Law or principles of equity; provided, further, that such security interest shall attach immediately and automatically without further action when such prohibition is repealed, rescinded or otherwise ceases to be effective, (ix) all Commercial Tort Claims and any Letter-of-Credit Rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), (x) Deposit Accounts

 

3



 

(other than the Collateral Accounts), (xi) any intent-to-use application for registration of a Trademark prior to the filing of a Statement of Use or an Amendment to Allege Use, solely to the extent, and for so long as, the grant or creation by any Grantor of a security interest therein would impair the registrability thereof, or the validity or enforceability of any registration issuing therefrom, (xii) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets could result in material adverse tax consequences to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as reasonably determined by the Company in consultation with the Controlling Collateral Agent, and (xiii) any other asset or property with respect to which the Company and the Controlling Collateral Agent determine that the costs of obtaining a security interest therein are excessive in relation to the value of the security afforded thereby.

 

Event of Default”: any “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, the Indenture.

 

Excluded Property Subsidiary”: (a) each Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) each Immaterial Subsidiary and (c) any not-for-profit Subsidiaries, captive insurance companies or other special purpose subsidiaries designated by Company from time to time.

 

First Lien Documents”: as defined in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

First Lien Intercreditor Agreement”: the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, among the Company, the Non-Company Grantors, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as collateral agent for the Credit Agreement Secured Parties (as defined in the New Credit Facility), the Collateral Agent and each additional agent from time to time party thereto.

 

First Lien Obligations”: as defined in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Foreign Subsidiary”: with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than one that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock”: the voting Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary or any FSHCO.

 

FSHCO”: with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person substantially all the assets of which consist of (A) Equity Interests of (and/or intercompany obligations owed or treated as owed by) one or more CFCs and/or (B) Equity Interests of one or more Subsidiaries described in this definition.

 

Governmental Authority”: the government of the United States or any other nation, or of 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 (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

4



 

Grantors”: the collective reference to the Company and each entity identified as a Grantor on Annex I to the signature page hereto, together with any other entity that may become a party hereto (and is identified as a Grantor) as provided herein.

 

Holders”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary”: a Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

Indenture”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, and any transferable rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreements”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Investment Property”: the collective reference to all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the New York UCC (other than any Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock excluded from the definition of “Pledged Stock”).

 

IP Agreements”: all agreements, permits, consents, orders and franchises relating to the license (including, without limitation, the Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses and Trademark Licenses), development, use or disclosure of any Material Intellectual Property to which a Grantor, now or hereafter, is a party or a beneficiary.

 

IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement”: as defined in Section 5.3(c).

 

Issue Date”: April 26, 2016.

 

Issuers”: the collective reference to each issuer of any Investment Property or any Pledged Note.

 

Material Intellectual Property”: any of the Intellectual Property owned by a Grantor and the material rights of a Grantor under any IP Agreement, including material rights under a license agreement, that (i) is related to computer memory products manufactured and sold in commercial volumes, or processes used to make such products, by Company and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) are rights that, if the Company and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries failed to own or have such rights, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Subsidiary”: each wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Company that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Company most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had total assets (based on book value) as of the end of such quarter in excess of $100,000,000 or that is designated by the Company as a “Material Subsidiary.”

 

5



 

New Credit Facility”: means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by and among the Company, as borrower, and lenders party thereto, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and as collateral agent, providing for up to $750,000,000 of term loans, including any related notes, guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time, regardless of whether such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing is with the same financial institutions or otherwise.

 

New Credit Facility Obligations”: means the Obligations (as defined in the New Credit Facility) under the New Credit Facility.

 

New York UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Non-Company Grantor”: each Grantor other than the Company.

 

Notes”: as defined in the Indenture.

 

Obligations”: (i) in the case of the Company, the Company Obligations, and (ii) in the case of each Non-Company Grantor, its Other Notes Party Obligations.

 

Officers’ Certificate”: as defined in the Indenture.

 

Other Notes Party Obligations”: with respect to any Non-Company Grantor, all obligations and liabilities of such Grantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes or any other Security Documents, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent or to the Holders that are required to be paid by such Grantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Notes or any other Security Documents).

 

Patents”: (i) all letters patent and patent rights of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, (ii) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (iii) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent License”: all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to make, have made, manufacture, use, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import or  export any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

 

Patent Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Pledged Notes”: the promissory notes listed on Schedule 2, and all other promissory notes held by and payable to any Grantor (other than promissory notes issued in connection with

 

6



 

extensions of trade credit by any Grantor in the ordinary course of business) for Indebtedness in excess of $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

 

Pledged Stock”: the shares of Capital Stock listed on Schedule 2, together with any other shares, stock certificates, options, interests or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Capital Stock of any Person (other than an Excluded Property Subsidiary) that may be issued or granted to, or held by, a Grantor while this Agreement is in effect; provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock be required to be pledged hereunder.

 

Permitted Prior Lien”:  as defined in the Indenture.

 

Proceeds”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the New York UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Receivable”: any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance (including, without limitation, any Account).

 

Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Restricted Subsidiary”: means each Subsidiary of the Company, at least 80% of the Voting Stock of which is owned by the Company or one or more Subsidiaries of which at least 80% of the Voting Stock is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, provided that, for purposes of the foregoing, any Voting Stock owned by a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary based on the foregoing clause shall be excluded.

 

Secured Debt Termination Date”: as defined in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Secured Parties”: the Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent.

 

Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Documents”: the Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the mortgages, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust or other grants for security executed and delivered by the Company or any Guarantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Subsidiary”: with respect to any specified Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled

 

7



 

(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is that Person or a Subsidiary of that Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of the Company (or any combination thereof).  Unless otherwise indicated, the term “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Trademarks”: (i) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, domain names, and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith (other than “intent to use” applications included in Excluded Property), whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Trademark License”: any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

Trademark Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Trustee”: means U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as trustee under the Indenture, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving under the Indenture.

 

Voting Stock”: means, with respect to any Person, all classes of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

1.2                               Other Definitional Provisions.  (a)  The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(b)                                 The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(c)                                  Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

8



 

SECTION 2.                            [Reserved]

 

SECTION 3.                            Grant of Security Interest

 

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “Collateral”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations:

 

(a)                                 all Accounts;

 

(b)                                 all Chattel Paper;

 

(c)                                  all Documents;

 

(d)                                 all Collateral Accounts;

 

(e)                                  all Equipment;

 

(f)                                   all Fixtures on or to Mortgaged Property;

 

(g)                                  all General Intangibles;

 

(h)                                 all Instruments;

 

(i)                                     all Intellectual Property;

 

(j)                                    all Inventory;

 

(k)                                 all Goods;

 

(l)                                     all Investment Property;

 

(m)                             all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

 

(n)                                 to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

 

providedhowever, that notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 3, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in any Excluded Property.  For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Indenture or any other Security Document, no Obligation shall (i) be guaranteed by any Foreign Subsidiary, FSHCO or other Subsidiary that is not a Grantor or (ii) be secured by any assets of any Foreign Subsidiary, FSHCO, or other Subsidiary that is not a Grantor (including any Equity Interests held

 

9



 

directly or indirectly thereby, or any rights to or interest in intangible property under a license agreement or other arrangement related to the development, ownership, or exploitation of intangible property).

 

SECTION 4.                            Representations and Warranties

 

In accordance with the terms of the Indenture, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent that:

 

4.1                               Title; No Other Liens.  Except for Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 4.09 of the Indenture, such Grantor owns, or has rights in, each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens.  No effective financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement or as are filed with respect to Permitted Liens or Liens not prohibited by Section 4.09 of the Indenture.

 

4.2                               Perfected First Priority Liens.  The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 3 (which, in the case of all filings and other documents referred to on said Schedule, have been completed and are in duly executed form and the Company has filed or will cause to be filed such filings and documents) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral for which such filings and actions are effective to perfect such security interests in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for such Grantor’s Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 4.09 of the Indenture.

 

4.3                               Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office.  On the date hereof, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, identification number from the jurisdiction of organization (if any), and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office or sole place of business, as the case may be, are specified on Schedule 4.

 

4.4                               Investment Property. (a) The shares of Pledged Stock pledged by such Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer owned by such Grantor or, in the case of Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock, 65% of the outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock of each relevant Issuer.

 

(b)                                 All the shares of Pledged Stock issued by an Issuer which is a Subsidiary of a Grantor have been duly and validly issued and are, if such shares are shares of stock in a domestic corporation, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(c)                                  Each of the Pledged Notes issued by an Issuer which is a Subsidiary of such Grantor constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor with respect thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’

 

10



 

rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

4.5                               Intellectual Property. (a) Except as either individually or in the aggregate could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) to the knowledge of each Grantor, the operation of such Grantor’s business as currently conducted and the use of the Material Intellectual Property in connection therewith do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, misuse or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party; and (ii) such Grantor is the exclusive owner or joint owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Material Intellectual Property, or is entitled to use all such Material Intellectual Property subject only to the terms of the related IP Agreements.

 

(b)                                 The Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 5 includes all registrations of or applications for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights that are Material Intellectual Property owned by a Grantor.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property on Schedule 5 shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

(c)                                  The owned Material Intellectual Property owned by each Grantor is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or part, and to the knowledge of such Grantor, is valid and enforceable. For clarity, the foregoing representation and warranty shall not apply to Material Intellectual Property constituting rights under any IP Agreement.

 

(d)                                 The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Indenture and the Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2016, by and among the Company, the Non-Company Grantor and the representatives of the initial purchasers named in Schedule I thereto, will not result in the termination or impairment of any of the Material Intellectual Property or any Grantor’s rights therein.  For clarity, the foregoing representation and warranty shall not apply to the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any remedy under this Agreement, including the direct enforcement of any rights under any IP Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.                            Covenants

 

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Agreement and until the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Obligations:

 

5.1                               Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation. (a)  Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having the priority described in clause (b) of Section 4.2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever; provided that such Grantor shall not be required to take any action to perfect a security interest in the Collateral other than those actions described in Section 4.2(a), Section 5.1(b), Section 5.2, Section 5.3, Section 5.4 or Section 5.5.

 

11



 

(b)                                 At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation  authorize, and have recorded, any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) with the applicable filing office in the jurisdiction of formation or incorporation of each Grantor with respect to the security interests created, but subject in each case to the limitations set forth in Section 5.1(a).

 

(c)                                  For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as set forth in clause (a) of Section 5.1, no Grantor shall be required to (A) take any action with respect to perfection by any other means besides filings of the type specified in Section 4.2, which other methods include possession or “control” under the Uniform Commercial Code (whether effected by transfer of possession, control agreements or other steps) or any other method with respect to any Documents, Instruments, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, cash, Deposit Accounts, commodities and securities accounts (including securities entitlements and related assets), except, with respect to Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes, for the actions required pursuant to Section 5.3, Section 5.4 and Section 5.5, (B) obtain landlord lien waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters with respect to any leasehold interests in real property, (C) authorize or have filed any financing statement as a fixture filing, (D) take any action with respect to perfection that may be required under non-U.S. laws, (E) take any action to obtain any consents or agreements from third parties to permit the grant of a security interest in any Excluded Property or (F) take any action with respect to perfection with respect to any consignment of goods. For the further avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as set forth in clause (a) of Section 5.1, prior to an enforcement event following the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default no notices shall be sent by the Collateral Agent, or required by the Collateral Agent to be sent by any Grantor, to account debtors or other third party obligors notifying such account debtors or obligors of the security interests created hereby or directing such account debtors or third party obligors to make payment to a different person or account.

 

5.2                               Changes in Name, etc.  Such Grantor will promptly (and in any event within 20 days or such longer period as is reasonably agreed to by the Collateral Agent) provide prior written notice to the Collateral Agent and delivery to the Collateral Agent of all additional financing statements and other executed documents reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein, if such Grantor (i) changes its jurisdiction of organization from that referred to in Section 4.3 or (ii) changes its name, and such Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent and caused to be filed additional financing statements as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein.

 

5.3                               Intellectual Property.  (a)  Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, subject to the provisions of paragraph (iv) below:

 

(i)                                     With respect to each item of its Material Intellectual Property, each Grantor agrees to take, at its expense, actions, which may include, without limitation, registering in

 

12



 

the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, to (x) maintain the validity and enforceability of such Material Intellectual Property and maintain such Material Intellectual Property in full force and effect, and (y) pursue the registration and maintenance of each Patent, Trademark, or Copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in such Material Intellectual Property of such Grantor, including, without limitation, the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, inter partes review, infringement and misappropriation proceedings.

 

(ii)                                  No Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its Material Intellectual Property may lapse, be terminated or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or, in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

 

(iii)                               Each Grantor shall take actions to preserve and protect each item of its Material Intellectual Property.

 

(iv)                              Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Grantor shall only be required to take actions or refrain from taking or omit to take actions pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) as it determines in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment are commercially reasonable, and nothing in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting a Grantor from effecting any transaction not prohibited by the Indenture (including, without limitation, a transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition or license not prohibited by the Indenture).

 

(b)                                 With respect to its Material Intellectual Property, within 30 days of the Issue Date or such later date which the Controlling Collateral Agent consents to in writing, each Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent and file or cause to be filed, with respect to all Material Intellectual Property that is registered or with respect to which registration is pending (i) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Controlling Collateral Agent (a “Copyright Security Agreement”), (ii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Controlling Collateral Agent (a “Patent Security Agreement”) and (iii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Controlling Collateral Agent (a “Trademark Security Agreement” and, together with each Copyright Security Agreement and each Patent Security Agreement, the “Intellectual Property Security Agreements”), in each case, for recording the security interest granted hereunder to the Collateral Agent in such Material Intellectual Property with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property in any Intellectual Property Security Agreement shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

13



 

(c)                                  Each Grantor agrees that should it obtain an ownership interest in any Intellectual Property that is not on the date hereof a part of the Material Intellectual Property (“After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property”) (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto, and (ii) any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property and, in the case of Trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become part of the Material Intellectual Property if and to the extent such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property meets the definition of Material Intellectual Property, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect thereto.  Following the acquisition of its interest in any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property (on at least a quarterly basis, and with respect to After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property constituting registered Copyrights, within thirty (30) days of such acquisition), each Grantor shall provide written notice to the Collateral Agent identifying the registered or applied-for Patents, Trademarks and/or Copyrights that are not on the date hereof a part of the Material Intellectual Property, including any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property, (other than any such registered or applied-for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights as to which a prior notice under this Section 5.3(c) has been provided and an IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement, as hereinafter defined, has been recorded as required by this Section 5.3(c)) and such notice shall include all such new After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property, and such Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent with such written notice, or otherwise authenticate, an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (an “IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement”) covering such Intellectual Property, and record or cause to be recorded such IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and/or any other U.S. governmental authorities necessary to perfect the security interest hereunder in any such Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing in this Agreement, the Indenture or any Security Document shall require any Grantor or any of their Subsidiaries to make any filings or take any actions to record or perfect the Collateral Agent’s Lien on and security interest in any Intellectual Property other than Material Intellectual Property.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property in any notice of After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property or in any IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Indenture or any other Security Document, no Grantor shall be obligated to (a) effect any filings with respect to Material Intellectual Property outside of the United States, or (b) perfect any Lien in any Intellectual Property established in any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

5.4                               Delivery of Pledged Notes.  If any Instrument is or becomes a Pledged Note, such Instrument shall promptly be delivered to the Collateral Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

5.5                               Investment Property.  If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the Pledged Stock (constituting Collateral hereunder) of any Material Subsidiary of such Grantor, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares of the Pledged Stock

 

14



 

of a Material Subsidiary of such Grantor, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Collateral Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Collateral Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations; provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock be required to be delivered or pledged hereunder.

 

SECTION 6.                            Remedial Provisions

 

6.1                               Certain Matters Relating to Receivables.  If required by the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any payments of Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within three Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Collateral Agent for the account of the Secured Parties only as provided in Section 6.4, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.

 

6.2                               Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable.  (a) The Collateral Agent in its own name or in the name of others may (but shall not be obligated to) at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with obligors under the Receivables constituting Collateral hereunder and parties to the contracts constituting Collateral hereunder to verify with them to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any such Receivables or contracts.

 

(b)                                 Upon the request of the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Receivables constituting Collateral hereunder and parties to the contracts constituting Collateral hereunder that such Receivables and the contracts have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)                                  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Receivables and contracts to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) or contract by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) or contract, to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance

 

15



 

or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

6.3                               Investment Property and Instruments.  (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have given written notice to the relevant Grantor of the Collateral Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 6.3(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of the Investment Property (including Pledged Stock) and all payments made in respect of Instruments (including the Pledged Notes), in each case paid in the normal course of business of the relevant Issuer and consistent with past practice and to exercise all voting and corporate or other organizational rights with respect to the Investment Property; provided that no vote shall be cast or corporate or other organizational right exercised or other action taken which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Indenture or this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall give written notice of its intent to exercise its rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Investment Property constituting Collateral hereunder and make application thereof to the Obligations in such order as the Collateral Agent may determine, and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to cause any or all of the Investment Property to be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, and the Collateral Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Investment Property at any meeting of shareholders of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Investment Property as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Investment Property constituting Collateral hereunder upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or other organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Collateral Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Investment Property, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of such Investment Property with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Investment Property pledged by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Collateral Agent in writing that (x) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Investment Property directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

6.4                               Proceeds to be Turned Over to Collateral Agent.  In addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties specified in Section 6.1 with respect to

 

16



 

payments of Receivables, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required).  All Proceeds constituting Collateral hereunder received by the Collateral Agent hereunder shall be held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account maintained under its sole dominion and control.  All Proceeds constituting Collateral hereunder while held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account (or by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 6.5.

 

6.5                               Application of Proceeds.  At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Collateral Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Collateral Agent’s election, the Collateral Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds constituting Collateral in payment of the Obligations in the following order:

 

First, to pay incurred and unpaid fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent and Trustee under the First Lien Documents;

 

Second, to the Collateral Agent, for further distribution to the Trustee for application by the Trustee towards payment of amounts then due and owing and remaining unpaid in respect of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then due and owing and remaining unpaid to the Secured Parties in accordance with the Indenture; and

 

Third, any balance remaining after the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Obligations shall be paid over to the Company or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same;

 

provided that in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and this Section 6.5, the term of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

6.6                               Code and Other Remedies.  (a)  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may (but shall not be obligated to) exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may (but shall not be obligated to), subject to the requirements of applicable law, in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at

 

17



 

any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Collateral Agent or any Secured Party shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.6, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such order as the Collateral Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the New York UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

(b)                                 For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise rights and remedies hereunder at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, distribute, perform, display, prepare derivative works based upon, make, have made, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import, export, practice, make improvements, license or sublicense any of the Intellectual Property constituting Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located.  Such license shall include access to all media in which any of the Intellectual Property constituting Collateral may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout hereof.  With respect to Trademarks, such license shall be subject to the requirement that the quality of goods and services offered under the Trademarks be substantially consistent with the quality of the goods and services offered thereunder by such Grantor prior to the Collateral Agent’s exercise of rights and remedies.

 

6.7                               Registration Rights.  (a) Each Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Collateral Agent shall

 

18



 

be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.

 

(b)                                 Each Grantor agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to this Section 6.7 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of Law. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 6.7 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 6.7 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred.

 

6.8                               Subordination.  Each Grantor hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, unless otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent, all Indebtedness owing by it to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of such Grantor’s Obligations.

 

6.9                               Deficiency.  Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

 

6.10                        First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6 or Section 7.1, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern the exercise of rights and the enforcement of remedies hereunder by the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 6 and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

SECTION 7.                            The Collateral Agent

 

7.1                               Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.  (a)  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement. At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right (but the Collateral Agent shall not have the obligation), on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

 

19



 

(i)                                     in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or contract or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or contract or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

(ii)                                  in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and general intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(iii)                               pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

(iv)                              execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 6.6 or 6.7, any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(v)                                 (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any Copyright, Patent or Trademark (along with the goodwill of the business to which any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark pertains), throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the Collateral Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; and (8) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.1(a), the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 7.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

20



 

(b)                                 If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Collateral Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(c)                                  The reasonable expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 7.1, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the highest rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on past due Notes under the Indenture, from the date of payment by the Collateral Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

7.2                               Duty of Collateral Agent.  To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar property for its own account (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent shall not be permitted to create a security interest in Collateral in its possession pursuant to Section 9-207(c) of the New York UCC). Neither the Collateral Agent, any Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof, except as provided herein. The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

7.3                               Financing Statements.  Pursuant to any applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Collateral Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement. Each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent to use the collateral description “all personal property” in any such financing statements. Each Grantor hereby ratifies and authorizes the filing by the Collateral Agent of any financing statement with respect to the Collateral made on or prior to the date hereof.  Notwithstanding the grant of authority to the Collateral Agent herein, each Grantor agrees to file or cause to be filed all filings, financing statements, continuation statements and any other documents or instruments required to

 

21



 

perfect and maintain the perfection of the Collateral Agent’s interest in the Collateral, and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to make any such filings or recordings.

 

7.4                               Authority of Collateral Agent.  Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, be governed by the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and/or relevant First Lien Documents, and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among any of them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

7.5                               First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Each party hereto (and each Secured Party) acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent may act in accordance with, and shall be required to take certain actions as required by, the terms of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (and each Secured Party) acknowledges and agrees that any such actions shall be permitted, and further agrees that in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the relevant provisions of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall control. The parties hereto (and each Secured Party) also acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent shall have the benefit of the provisions contained in the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement.  Any obligation of any Grantor in this Agreement that requires (or any representation or warranty hereunder to the extent that it would have the effect of requiring) delivery of Collateral to the Collateral Agent, or the possession of the Collateral Agent shall be deemed complied with and satisfied (or, in the case of any representation or warranty hereunder, shall be deemed to be true) if such delivery of Collateral is made to, or such possession or control is with, the Controlling Collateral Agent.

 

7.6                               Rights of the Collateral Agent.  U.S. Bank National Association is acting under this Agreement solely in its capacity as Collateral Agent under the Indenture and not in its individual capacity.  In acting hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to all of the rights, privileges and immunities granted to it under the Indenture, as if such rights, privileges and immunities were set forth herein.

 

SECTION 8.                            Miscellaneous

 

8.1                               Amendments in Writing.  None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section Article 9 of the Indenture and Section 5.02 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; provided that the Company and the Collateral Agent may amend this Agreement without consent of any Secured Party to add Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties and add provisions related

 

22



 

thereto with respect to the exercise of remedies by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

8.2                               Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Collateral Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 12.02 of the Indenture.

 

8.3                               No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 8.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Collateral Agent or any Holder of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

8.4                               Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification.  (a)  Each Grantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Secured Party and the Collateral Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other First Lien Documents to which such Grantor is a party, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Trustee and of counsel to the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)                                 Each Grantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Company would be required to do so pursuant to Section 7.07 of the Indenture or relevant provisions of any other First Lien Document.

 

(d)                                 The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the First Lien Documents and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.5                               Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or

 

23



 

delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.6                               [Reserved]

 

8.7                               Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by electronic transmission or telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.8                               Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

8.9                               Section Headings.  The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

8.10                        Integration.  This Agreement, the Indenture, First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the other Security Documents represent the entire agreement of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein, in the Indenture, First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or in the other Security Documents.

 

8.11                        GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

8.12                        Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                 submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Notes, the Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)                                 consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

24



 

(c)                                  agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Grantor at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other address of which the Collateral Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(d)                                 agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

 

(e)                                  waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages;

 

8.13                        Acknowledgements. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                 it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes, the Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b)                                 neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the Notes, the Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or any other Security Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)                                  no joint venture is created hereby, by this Agreement, the Notes, the Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement or the other Security Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantors and the Secured Parties.

 

8.14                        Additional Grantors; Release of Grantors; Releases of Collateral.  (a) Each Subsidiary of the Company that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to the relevant provision of any First Lien Document shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex II hereto.

 

(b)                                 Non-Company Grantors shall be released from this Agreement to the extent provided below, in each case at the request and expense of the Company:

 

(i)                                     A Non-Company Grantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event that (1) the Indebtedness of or Guarantee by such Non-Company Grantor that resulted in the obligation to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 4.07(a) of the Indenture (or would have resulted in the creation of a Guarantee of the Obligations had such Guarantee not already been in place) is released or discharged (other than a discharge of (A) a Guarantee as a result of payment under such Guarantee or (B) Indebtedness as a result of the acceleration of such Indebtedness due to a default or event of default under the terms thereof); (2) the Capital Stock of

 

25



 

such Non-Company Grantor is sold or otherwise disposed of (including by way of consolidation or merger) such that such Non-Company Grantor is no longer a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if such sale or disposition of all such Capital Stock of that Grantor is not prohibited by the Indenture; and (3) if such Non-Company Grantor was not required to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 4.07(a) of the Indenture but did so at its option, upon the request by such Non-Company Grantor of a release at any time; provided that after giving effect to such release the Company would be in compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 4.07(a) of the Indenture; (4) upon the Company exercising the legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option as described in Article 8 of the Indenture or the Company’s obligations under the Indenture being discharged in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; or (5) upon payment in full of the principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, on all Notes then outstanding and all other Obligations (other than contingent liabilities for which no claim has been asserted).

 

(ii)                                  One or more Non-Company Grantors may be released from their obligations hereunder at any time if (1) the release of such Non-Company Grantors is permitted by Section 10.09 of the Indenture and (2) the Company has delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Collateral Agent as required by Section 10.09 of the Indenture.

 

(iii)                               In connection with any release of any Non-Company Grantor pursuant to this Section 8.14, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, will, at the written direction of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate, execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence or effect such release, termination and discharge. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 8.14 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)                                  Releases of Collateral shall be effected in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 4.04 of the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Section 11.02 of the Indenture.

 

(d)                                 Upon (i) the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any item of Collateral of any Grantor not prohibited by the Indenture, (ii) the release of the Lien on any asset constituting Collateral in accordance with the Indenture, the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, this Agreement and the other Security Documents (including in connection with the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien) or (iii) in accordance with Section 11.02(a)(6) of the Indenture the Lien of the Collateral Agent in such Collateral will be automatically released, and such Permitted Prior Lien, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of such item of Collateral shall be free and clear of the Lien of the Collateral Agent, without requirement for consent or approval from the Holders, the Trustee or the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent will, at such Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted by this Agreement; provided, however, that, in connection with such request to evidence the release of such item, such Grantor shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a written request for release describing the item of Collateral and, if applicable, the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien or the terms of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition in reasonable detail and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Indenture and as to such other matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request; provided, further, that to the extent and at such time as any property that

 

26



 

would otherwise constitute Collateral hereunder is no longer subject to a Permitted Prior Lien, such property shall be Collateral and shall be subject to the Lien of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.15                        WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE FIRST LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, THE INDENTURE OR ANY OTHER SECURITY DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

27



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Name:

Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

 

Vice President, Finance

 



 

 

MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC., as Grantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven L. Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Steven L.Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Title:

President

 



 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paula M. Oswald

 

 

Name:

Paula M. Oswald

 

 

Title:

Vice President

 



 

ANNEX I

 

Name of Non-Company Grantor

 

MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

 



 

ANNEX II

 

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of                 , 20  , made by                                                  (the “Additional Grantor”), in favor of U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Secured Parties referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Security Agreement referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Micron Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its Subsidiaries (other than the Additional Grantor), the Trustee and the Collateral Agent have entered into an Indenture, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Indenture, the Company and certain of its Subsidiaries (other than the Additional Grantor) have entered into the Security Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Security Agreement”) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined therein);

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor is required or has elected to become a party to the Security Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Security Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.                                      Security Agreement. By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 8.14 of the Security Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Security Agreement as a Grantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder and transfers and assigns to the Collateral Agent, and hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, and a Lien on, its Collateral as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations. The information set forth in Annex II-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Security Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of the Security Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.

 

2.                                      GOVERNING LAW. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

ANNEX II-A to
Assumption Agreement

 

Supplement to Schedule 1

 

[]

 

Supplement to Schedule 2

 

[]

 

Supplement to Schedule 3

 

[]

 

Supplement to Schedule 4

 

[]

 

Supplement to Schedule 5

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

among

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.,
as Borrower

 

and

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

 

and

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of April 26, 2016

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
HSBC SECURITIES (USA) INC.
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

 

As Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,
DBS BANK LTD.
and
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

 

As Co-Syndication Agents

 

ING FINANCIAL MARKETS LLC,
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK,
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED
BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.,
CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK,
THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.,
and
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

As Co-Documentation Agents

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

 

1.1.

Defined Terms

1

1.2.

Other Definitional Provisions

24

1.3.

Delivery of Notices

24

 

 

 

SECTION 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS AND COMMITMENTS

25

 

 

 

2.1.

Term Commitments

25

2.2.

Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing

25

2.3.

RESERVED

25

2.4.

RESERVED

25

2.5.

RESERVED

25

2.6.

RESERVED

25

2.7.

RESERVED

25

2.8.

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

25

2.9.

Interest Rates and Payment Dates

26

2.10.

Computation of Interest and Fees

26

2.11.

Inability to Determine Interest Rate

27

2.12.

RESERVED

27

2.13.

Optional Prepayment of Loans; Repricing Transaction

27

2.14.

Change of Control Prepayment

33

2.15.

Conversion and Continuation Options

34

2.16.

Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches

34

2.17.

Pro Rata Treatment, etc.

34

2.18.

Requirements of Law

35

2.19.

Taxes

36

2.20.

Indemnity

40

2.21.

Change of Lending Office

40

2.22.

Fees

40

2.23.

RESERVED

40

2.24.

Nature of Fees

40

2.25.

RESERVED

40

2.26.

Replacement of Lenders

40

2.27.

Extensions of Loans and Commitments

41

2.28.

Reserved

42

2.29.

Defaulting Lenders

42

 

 

 

SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

43

 

 

 

3.1.

Existence; Compliance with Law

43

3.2.

Power; Authorizations; Enforceable Obligations

43

3.3.

No Legal Bar

44

3.4.

Accuracy of Information

44

3.5.

No Material Adverse Effect

44

3.6.

Subsidiaries

44

3.7.

Title to Assets; Liens

44

3.8.

Intellectual Property

45

3.9.

Use of Proceeds

45

 

i



 

3.10.

Litigation

45

3.11.

Federal Reserve Regulations

45

3.12.

Solvency

45

3.13.

Taxes

45

3.14.

ERISA

45

3.15.

Environmental Matters; Hazardous Material

46

3.16.

Investment Company Act; Other Regulations

46

3.17.

Labor Matters

46

3.18.

Security Documents

46

3.19.

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

46

3.20.

EEA Financial Institutions

47

 

 

 

SECTION 4 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

47

 

 

 

4.1.

Conditions to the Closing Date

47

 

 

 

SECTION 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

49

 

 

 

5.1.

Financial Statements, Etc.

49

5.2.

Compliance Certificate

49

5.3.

Maintenance of Existence

49

5.4.

Maintenance of Insurance

49

5.5.

Use of Proceeds

50

5.6.

After-Acquired Collateral; Further Assurances

50

5.7.

Compliance with Laws

52

5.8.

Post-Closing Obligations

52

 

 

 

SECTION 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

52

 

 

 

6.1.

Limitation on Subsidiary Indebtedness

52

6.2.

Limitation on Liens

55

6.3.

Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets

55

6.4.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

56

6.5.

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

57

 

 

 

SECTION 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

57

 

 

 

7.1.

Events of Default

57

 

 

 

SECTION 8 THE AGENTS

60

 

 

 

8.1.

Appointment

60

8.2.

Delegation of Duties

60

8.3.

Exculpatory Provisions

60

8.4.

Reliance by the Administrative Agent

60

8.5.

Notice of Default

61

8.6.

Non-Reliance on the Agent and Other Lenders

61

8.7.

Indemnification

61

8.8.

Agent in Its Individual Capacity

62

8.9.

Successor Administrative Agent

62

8.10.

The Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents

62

8.11.

Collateral Security

62

8.12.

Enforcement by the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

62

8.13.

Withholding Tax

63

 

 

 

SECTION 9 MISCELLANEOUS

63

 

ii



 

9.1.

Amendments and Waivers

63

9.2.

Notices

65

9.3.

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

66

9.4.

Survival of Representations and Warranties

66

9.5.

Payment of Expenses

66

9.6.

Successors and Assigns; Participations

68

9.7.

Adjustments; Setoff

71

9.8.

Counterparts

71

9.9.

Severability

71

9.10.

Integration

71

9.11.

GOVERNING LAW

72

9.12.

Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

72

9.13.

Acknowledgements

72

9.14.

Releases of Guarantees and Liens

73

9.15.

Confidentiality

74

9.16.

WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL

75

9.17.

Patriot Act

75

9.18.

No Fiduciary Duty

75

9.19.

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

76

9.20.

Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation

76

 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

Schedule 1.1

Term Commitment Amounts

Schedule 3.6

Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.18

UCC Filing Jurisdictions

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit A-1

Form of Closing Certificate for the Borrower

Exhibit A-2

Form of Closing Certificate for the Guarantors

Exhibit B

Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit D

Form of Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

Exhibit E-1

Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-2

Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-3

Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-4

Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate (For Non-U.S. Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit F

Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion

 

 

Exhibit G

Form of Acceptance and Prepayment Notice

 

 

Exhibit H

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Notice

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Discount Range Prepayment Offer

 

 

Exhibit J

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice

 

iii



 

Exhibit K

Form of Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer

 

 

Exhibit L

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Notice

 

 

Exhibit M

Form of Specified Discount Prepayment Response

 

iv



 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 26, 2016, among MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. (“MSSF”), as administrative agent (in such capacity and including any successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent” or the “Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity and including any successors in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”), the other agents party hereto and each of the financial institutions from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower intends to use the Loans (as defined below) for general corporate purposes, including working capital, cash on the balance sheet, and capital expenditures.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1
Definitions

 

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

 

ABL Credit Agreement”: that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 2, 2014 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among the Borrower, Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc., the guarantors party thereto, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as administrative agent, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as co-collateral agents, and the lenders party thereto.

 

Acceptable Discount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(A).

 

Acceptable Prepayment Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(B).

 

Acceptance and Prepayment Notice”: an irrevocable written notice from a Lender accepting a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment at the Acceptable Discount specified therein pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(iv) substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

 

Acceptance Date”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(A).

 

Administrative Agent”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Affiliate”: as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agent”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Aggregate Debt”: the sum of the following as of the date of determination: (1) the then aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication, incurred on or after the Closing Date and secured by Liens not permitted under Section 6.2(a) (determined in accordance with such Section); (2) the then aggregate outstanding amount of all Subsidiary Debt incurred on or after the Closing Date, without duplication, and not permitted under Section 6.1(a) (including as a result of the exclusions set forth in Section 6.1(b)); provided that any such Subsidiary Debt

 

1



 

will be excluded from this clause (2) to the extent that such Subsidiary Debt (or the related Indebtedness) is included in clause (1) or (3) of this definition; and (3) the then existing Attributable Debt of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of sale and lease-back transactions, without duplication, entered into after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.4(b); provided that any such Attributable Debt will be excluded from this clause (3) to the extent of indebtedness relating thereto is included in clause (1) or (2) of this definition, provided further, in no event will the amount of any Indebtedness (including Guarantees of such Indebtedness) be required to be included in the calculation of Aggregate Debt more than once despite the fact more than one Person is liable with respect to such Indebtedness and despite the fact that such Indebtedness is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Domestic Restricted Subsidiary has Guaranteed or otherwise become liable for such Indebtedness or in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Indebtedness or one or more Guarantees thereof, the amount of Indebtedness so Guaranteed or secured shall only be included once in the calculation of Aggregate Debt).

 

Agreement”: this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

ALTA”: American Land Title Association.

 

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

 

Applicable Discount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii)(A).

 

Applicable Margin”: a percentage per annum equal to in the case of Term Loans maintained as (i) Base Rate Loans, 5.00% and (ii) Eurodollar Loans, 6.00%.

 

Approved Electronic Communication”: any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Loan Party provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Agent or to the Lenders by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 9.2(b).

 

Approved Fund”: as defined in Section 9.6(b)(ii).

 

Arranger”: each of the Joint Lead Arrangers.

 

Assignee”: as defined in Section 9.6(b)(i).

 

Assignment and Acceptance”: in the case of assignments of Term Loans, an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Assignee and accepted by the Administrative Agent to the extent required pursuant to Section 9.6, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

 

Attributable Debt”: in connection with a sale and lease-back transaction the lesser of: (1) the fair value of the assets subject to such transaction, as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; and (2) the present value of the minimum rental payments called for during the terms of the lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended), determined in accordance with GAAP, discounted at a rate that, at the inception of the lease, the lessee would have incurred to borrow over a similar term the funds necessary to purchase the leased assets.

 

Auction Agent” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by the Borrower (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in

 

2



 

connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.13(c)provided that the Borrower shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Agent).

 

Bail-In Action”: means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Bail-In Legislation”: means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

Bankruptcy Code”: the United States Bankruptcy Code, codified as Title 11, U.S. Code §101-1330, as amended.

 

Base Rate”: for any day, the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus ½ of 1% per annum, (b) the Prime Rate or (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a one-month interest period plus 1.0%.  Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurodollar Rate for a one-month interest period shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or such Eurodollar Rate, respectively.

 

Base Rate Loans”: Term Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Base Rate.

 

Benefited Lender”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.7(a).

 

Board of Directors”: the board of directors of the Borrower or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.

 

Board of Governors”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States or any Governmental Authority which succeeds to the powers and functions thereof.

 

Boise Property”: all real property vested solely in the Borrower or a Guarantor at the location commonly known as 8000 S. Federal Way; Boise, Idaho 83716 together with all real property vested solely in the Borrower or a Guarantor adjoining, contiguous to, or in vicinity of the Boise Property.

 

Borrower”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment”: the offer by the Borrower to make a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified discount to par pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(ii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers”: the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the corresponding acceptance by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a specified range at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers”: the solicitation by the Borrower of offers for, and the subsequent acceptance, if any, by a Lender of, a voluntary prepayment of Loans at a discount to par pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(iv).

 

Borrowing”: the making of Term Loans by the Lenders on the Borrowing Date.

 

3



 

Borrowing Date”: the Business Day specified in a notice pursuant to Section 2.2 as a date on which the Borrower requests the making of Term Loans hereunder.

 

Business Day”: any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

Capital Stock”: any and all shares of stock of a corporation, partnership interests or other equivalent interests (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in such Person’s equity, entitling the holder to receive a share of the profits and losses, and a distribution of assets, after liabilities, of such Person.

 

CFC”: controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Change of Control”:

 

(1)                                 any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, has filed a Schedule 13D or Schedule TO (or any successor schedule, form or report) pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing that such person has become the direct or indirect “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Borrower, unless such beneficial ownership (a)  arises solely as a result of a revocable proxy delivered in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, and (b)  is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D (or any successor schedule under the Exchange Act, except that for the purpose of this clause (1) a person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that such person has the right to acquire irrespective of whether that right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time); provided, however, that a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under this clause (1) if (a)  the Borrower becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company, and (b) (i)  the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Borrower’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (ii)  immediately following that transaction no “person” or “group” (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company; or

 

(2)                                 the Borrower sells, conveys, transfers or leases (either in one transaction or a series of related transactions) all or substantially all assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to, or merges or consolidates with, a Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), other than any such merger or consolidation where the shares of the Borrower’s Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to such transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person or parent entity thereof immediately after giving effect to such transaction; or

 

(3)                                 the adoption of a plan relating to the Borrower’s liquidation or dissolution.

 

Change of Control Acceptance Notice”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

 

Change of Control Payment Date”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

 

Change of Control Prepayment Offer”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event”: the occurrence of (1) a Change of Control that is accompanied or followed by a ratings downgrade of the Term Loan within the Ratings Decline Period for such Change of

 

4



 

Control by each of Moody’s and S&P (or, in the event Moody’s or S&P or both shall cease rating the Term Loan (for reasons outside the control of the Borrower) and the Borrower shall select any other nationally recognized rating agency, the equivalent of such ratings by such other nationally recognized rating agency) and (2) the rating of the Term Loan on any day during such Ratings Decline Period is below the lower of the rating by such nationally recognized rating agency in effect (a)  immediately preceding the first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to public announcement) and (b)  on the Closing Date.

 

Closing Date”: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.1 shall have been satisfied or waived, which date is April 26, 2016.

 

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

 

Co-Documentation Agents”: ING Financial Markets LLC, Standard Chartered Bank, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. and U.S. Bank National Association.

 

Collateral”: all “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and all of the other property and assets that are or are required under the terms hereof or under the Security Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Collateral Agent”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Commonly Controlled Entity”: an entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a controlled group that includes the Borrower and that is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

Consolidated EBITDA”: with respect to any Person for any Measurement Period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of (1) Consolidated Net Income; excluding (to the extent deducted or otherwise excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income in such Measurement Period), the following amounts (or, to the extent attributable to a non-wholly owned consolidated entity, a portion of the following amounts proportionate to the Borrower’s allocable interest in such entity); (2) Consolidated Non-cash Charges; (3) Consolidated Interest Expense; (4) Consolidated Income Tax Expense; (5) restructuring expenses and charges; (6) any expenses or charges related to any equity offering, Investment, recapitalization or incurrence of Indebtedness not prohibited under this Agreement (whether or not successful) or related to the entry into this Agreement; and (7) any charges, expenses or costs incurred in connection or associated with mergers, acquisitions or divestitures after the Closing Date.

 

Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the applicable Measurement Period to any asset sales or other dispositions or acquisitions, investment, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) by such Person and its Subsidiaries (1) that have occurred during such Measurement Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of such Measurement Period and on or prior to the date of the transaction in respect of which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined and (2) that the Borrower determines in good faith are outside the ordinary course of business, in each case as if such asset sale or other disposition or acquisition, investment, merger, consolidation or disposed operation occurred on the first day of such Measurement Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; provided that such pro forma calculations may include operating expense reductions for such period resulting from the transaction which is being given pro forma effect that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and have been realized or for which the steps necessary for realization have been taken or have been identified and are reasonably expected to be taken within one year following

 

5



 

any such transaction (which operating expense reductions are reasonably expected to be sustainable); provided that, the Borrower shall not be required to give pro forma effect to any transaction that it does not in good faith deem material. Such pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Borrower.

 

Consolidated Income Tax Expense”: with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for (or benefit of) federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations, to the extent the same were deducted (or added back, in the case of income tax benefit) in computing Consolidated Net Income.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense”: with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the total net interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

 

Consolidated Net Income”: with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of net income (or loss) attributable to non-controlling interests, for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by excluding, without duplication, the following (or, to the extent attributable to a non-wholly owned consolidated entity, a portion of the following amounts proportionate to the Borrower’s allocable interest in such entity): (1) all extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (net of fees and expense relating to the transaction giving rise thereto); (2) charges or losses as a result of judgments and settlements in connection with litigation or threatened litigation, up to a maximum in any Measurement Period of $1.0 billion; (3) gains or losses in respect of any asset impairments, write-offs or sales (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto); (4) any expenses, losses or charges incurred related to lower of cost or market write-downs for work in process or finished goods inventories; (5) any expenses, losses or charges incurred related to excess or obsolete inventories; (6) the net income (loss) from any disposed or discontinued operations or any net gains or losses on disposed or discontinued operations; (7) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; (8) any net gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness, derivative instruments, embedded derivatives or other similar obligations; (9) equity in net income (loss) of equity method investees; (10) gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from the application of fair value accounting to derivative instruments; and (11) gains or losses resulting from currency fluctuations. In addition, to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries, the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses or charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment or sale, conveyance, transfer or disposition of assets not prohibited under this Agreement.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets”: with respect to any Person, the total amount of assets of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (a)  all current liabilities of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (excluding (i)  the current portion of long-term debt and the portion of any convertible debt classified as “current” despite having a stated maturity more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is being computed and (ii)  any liabilities which are by their terms renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor thereon to a date more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is being computed) and (b)  all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and any other like intangibles of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person for the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC and computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

6



 

Consolidated Non-cash Charges”: with respect to any Person for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the aggregate depreciation; amortization (including amortization of goodwill, other intangibles, deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses); non-cash compensation expense incurred in connection with the issuance of Equity Interests to any director, officer, employee or consultant of such Person or any Subsidiary; and other non-cash expenses of such Person and its Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period (excluding any such charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries”: as of any date of determination and with respect to any Person, those subsidiaries of that Person whose financial data is, in accordance with GAAP, reflected in that Person’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

Copyrights”:  (i) all copyrights, database rights, design rights, mask works and works of authorship arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Copyright Licenses”:  any written agreement naming the Borrower or any Guarantor as a party, granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, perform, display, manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Co-Syndication Agents”: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, DBS Bank Ltd. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

 

Debtor Relief Laws”: the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default”: any of the events specified in Section 7.1, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the expiration of applicable cure or grace periods, or both, has been satisfied.

 

Defaulting Lender”: means any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within one Business Day of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder (unless such writing relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within two Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the

 

7



 

Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, after the Closing Date, (i) become the subject to any bankruptcy event, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, liquidator, examiner, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender 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 Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.  Any determination by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.29(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender.

 

Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(ii)(A).

 

Discount Range”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

Discount Range Prepayment Notice”: a written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(iii) substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

 

Discount Range Prepayment Offer”: the irrevocable written offer by a Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit I, submitted in response to an invitation to submit offers following the Auction Agent’s receipt of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice.

 

Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

Discount Range Proration”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii)(B).

 

Discounted Loan Prepayment”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(i).

 

Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(B).

 

Discounted Prepayment Effective Date”: in the case of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment or Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offer, five Business Days following the receipt by each relevant Lender of notice from the Auction Agent in accordance with Section 2.13(c)(ii), Section 2.13(c)(iii) or Section 2.13(c)(iv), as applicable, unless a shorter period is agreed to between the Borrower and the Auction Agent.

 

Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.

 

8



 

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary”: with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia other than any such Subsidiary that is (i) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of such Person or (ii) a FSHCO.

 

EEA Financial Institution”: means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

EEA Member Country”: means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

EEA Resolution Authority”: means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

Engagement Letter”: that certain engagement letter dated April 15, 2016 among the Borrower, the Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents.

 

Environmental Laws”: any and all applicable foreign, federal, state, local or municipal laws, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, legally binding requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law) regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of the environment or of human health (to the extent related to exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern), as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

 

Equity Interests”: all Capital Stock and all warrants or options with respect to, or other rights to purchase, Capital Stock, but excluding Indebtedness convertible into or exchangeable for equity.

 

ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule”: means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements”: for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations of the Board of Governors or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board of Governors) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Eurodollar Base Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) (or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent), as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of the relevant Interest Period for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “Eurodollar Base Rate” shall be the interest rate per

 

9



 

annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

 

Eurodollar Loans”: Term Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

 

Eurodollar Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%):

 

Eurodollar Base Rate


 

1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve

Requirements

 

; provided that in no event shall the Eurodollar Rate be less than 0.00%.

 

Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Section 7.1, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.

 

Exchange Act”: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute or statutes thereto.

 

Excluded Taxes”: those Taxes referenced in Section 2.19(a)(i) through 2.19(a)(v).

 

Extended Term Loans”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).

 

Extension”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).

 

Extension Offer”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).

 

Fair Market Value”: the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the chief financial officer of the Borrower (unless otherwise provided in this Agreement).

 

FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as in existence on the date hereof (and any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future Treasury regulations thereunder or published administrative guidance implementing such Sections, any agreement entered into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version described above) and any intergovernmental agreements (and related legislation or official administrative guidance) implementing the foregoing.

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of nationally recognized standing selected by it.

 

10



 

Fee Letter”: that certain fee letter dated April 26, 2016 between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Fees”: collectively, the fees pursuant to the Fee Letter, the Engagement Letter, the fees referred to in Section 9.5 and any other fees payable by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

Financial Officer”: the Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer, Controller or Treasurer of the Borrower.

 

First Lien”: a Lien granted by (i) a Security Document to the Collateral Agent or (ii) any other security agreement with respect to any other series of First Lien Debt, in each case, for the benefit of the holders of First Lien Debt, at any time, upon any property of any Loan Party to secure Secured Obligations.

 

First Lien Debt”:

 

(1)                                 all Obligations; and

 

(2)                                 to the extent issued or outstanding, (A) the Secured Notes and (B)  any other Indebtedness, including permitted refinancings of First Lien Debt), that, in the case of this clause (B), are secured equally and ratably with the Obligations by a First Lien that was expressly permitted to be incurred and so secured under this Agreement;

 

Flood Insurance Laws”: collectively, (i) National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973) as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Insurance Reform Act of 2012 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto.

 

Foreign Subsidiary”: with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than one that is organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

FSHCO”: with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of (i) Equity Interests of (and/or intercompany obligations owed or treated as owed by) one or more CFCs and (ii) Equity Interests of one or more Subsidiaries described in this definition.

 

Funding Office”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 9.2(a) or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect as of the date of determination.

 

Governmental Authority”: the government of the United States or any other nation, or of 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 (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

11



 

Grantors”: any Person that pledges any Collateral under the Security Documents to secure any Secured Obligations.

 

Guarantee”: any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services (unless such purchase arrangements are on arm’s-length terms and are entered into in the ordinary course of business), to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (2) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”: that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower and Grantors from time to time party thereto and the Collateral Agent.

 

Guarantors”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and its successors and assigns, in each case, until the Guarantee of such Person under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

Guaranty Reimbursement Obligations”: all obligations of the Loan Parties under Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

Identified Participating Lenders”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c)(iii)(B).

 

Identified Qualifying Lenders”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(B).

 

Indebtedness”: indebtedness for borrowed money. For the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness only includes indebtedness for the repayment of money borrowed, and does not include any other kind of indebtedness or obligation notwithstanding that such other indebtedness or obligation may be evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or other similar instrument, may be in the nature of a financing transaction, or may be an obligation that under GAAP is classified as “debt” or another type of liability, whether required to be reflected on the balance sheet of the obligor or otherwise.

 

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(1)                                 the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness that does not require the current payment of interest;

 

(2)                                 the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness;

 

(3)                                 in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person (and not otherwise Guaranteed by the specified Person), the lesser of: (a) the fair value (as determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) of such assets at the date of determination; and (b) the principal amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person; and

 

12



 

(4)                                 in respect of any Indebtedness of another Person Guaranteed by the specified Person or one or more of such Persons, the lesser of: (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person and (b) the maximum amount of such Indebtedness payable under the Guarantee or Guarantees (without duplication in the case of one or more Guarantees of the same Indebtedness by Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries).

 

In addition, accrual of interest and accretion or amortization of original issue discount will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for any purpose hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific obligations in Section 6.1(b) shall not create any implication that any such obligations constitute Indebtedness.

 

Indemnified Liabilities”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

 

Indemnitee”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

 

Insolvency”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

 

Insolvent”: pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

 

Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, and any transferable rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Base Rate Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Base Rate Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.

 

Interest Period”: as to any Eurodollar Loan, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, three or six (or, if agreed to by all relevant Lenders, twelve) months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is three (3) Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:

 

(i)                                     if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)                                  the Borrower may not select an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Termination Date; and

 

13



 

(iii)                               any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.

 

Investment”: any direct or indirect loan, advance (or other extension of credit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property or assets to another Person or any other payments for property or services for the account or use of another Person) another Person, including, without limitation, the following: (1) the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership in another Person; and (2) the purchase, acquisition or Guarantee of the Indebtedness or other liability of another Person.

 

Joint Lead Arrangers”: Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

Joint Venture”: with respect to any Person, any partnership, corporation or other entity in which up to and including 50% of the Equity Interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

 

Legal Holiday”: a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

Lenders”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Lien”: any lien, security interest, mortgage, charge or similar encumbrance, provided, however, that in no event shall either (i) any legal or equitable encumbrances deemed to exist by reason of a negative pledge or (ii) an operating lease or a non-exclusive license be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

Loan”: any Term Loan.

 

Loan Documents”: this Agreement, the Security Documents, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and, after execution and delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Note, and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.

 

Loan Parties”: the Borrower and the Guarantors.

 

Manassas Property”: all real property vested solely in the Borrower or a Guarantor at the location commonly known 9600 Godwin Drive; Manassas, Virginia 20110 together with all real property vested solely in the Borrower or a Guarantor adjoining, contiguous to, or in vicinity of the Manassas Property.

 

Material Adverse Effect”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial condition, results of operations or properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents, (c) the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents taken as a whole or (d) the material rights and remedies available to, or conferred upon, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent under the other Loan Documents, taken as a whole (it being understood that any event or condition described in Section 7.1(h) or (i) hereof that would not give rise to a Default or Event of Default thereunder shall not constitute a Material Adverse Effect under preceding clause (c) or (d)).

 

Material Intellectual Property”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

14



 

Material Subsidiary”: each Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had total assets (based on book value) as of the end of such quarter in excess of $100,000,000 or that is designated by the Borrower as a “Material Subsidiary.”

 

Materials of Environmental Concern”: any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, or asbestos, or polychlorinated biphenyls or any other chemicals, substances, materials, wastes, pollutants or contaminants in any form, regulated under any Environmental Law.

 

Measurement Period”: at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC.

 

Minimum Extension Condition”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(b).

 

Moody’s”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

Mortgaged Property”: collectively, the Boise Property and the Manassas Property and the other real properties of the Borrower or any Guarantor, as to which the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties is or shall be granted a Lien pursuant to the Mortgages.

 

Mortgages”: collectively, each of the mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt and security deeds made by any Loan Party in favor of, or for the benefit of, the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein, as each may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time; provided, however, in the event any Mortgaged Property is located in a jurisdiction which imposes mortgage recording taxes or similar fees, the applicable Mortgage shall not secure an amount in excess of 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Mortgaged Property.

 

MSSF”: the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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

 

Non-Excluded Taxes”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.19(a).

 

Notes”: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Term Loans.

 

Obligations”: the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Term Loans and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Term Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant hereto) or otherwise.

 

Offered Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv).

 

Offered Discount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv).

 

15



 

Original Termination Date”: April 26, 2022.

 

Other Taxes”: all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment pursuant to Section 2.26 (Replacement of Lenders)) as a result of the Administrative Agent, Lender or assignee having a present or former connection with the applicable taxing jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender or assignee having executed, delivered, become a party to, or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, and/or engaged in any activities contemplated with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement”: the form of intercreditor agreement attached hereto as Exhibit D.

 

Pari Passu Lien Indebtedness”: Indebtedness secured by a Lien created or incurred in reliance on Section 6.2(b) and subject to the terms of a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Participant”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

 

Participating Lender”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii)(A).

 

Participant Register”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c)(ii).

 

Patents”:  (i) all letters patent and patent rights of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, (ii) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, and (iii) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent License”: all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to Borrower or any Guarantor of any right to make, have made, manufacture, use, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import or  export any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

 

Patriot Act”: the USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law on October 26, 2001, as amended.

 

PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor).

 

Permitted Liens”:

 

(1)                                 Liens existing as of the Closing Date or arising thereafter pursuant to related agreements existing as of the Closing Date (other than Liens securing the Secured Obligations);

 

(2)                                 Liens on property given to secure all or any part of the payment of or financing of all or any part of the purchase price thereof, or the cost of development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of all or any part thereof; provided that such Liens shall be given (or given pursuant to firm commitment financing arrangements obtained within such period) within 18 months (or in the case of Liens securing any Indebtedness supported by an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (i) the acquisition of such property and/or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement, whichever is later and (ii) the

 

16



 

placing into commercial operation of such property after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement and shall attach solely to the property acquired, or constructed, altered or repaired and any improvements then or thereafter placed thereon and the capital stock of any Person formed to acquire such property, and any proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and insurance proceeds thereof;

 

(3)                                 Liens existing on any property at the time of acquisition of such property or Liens existing on assets of a Person and its Subsidiaries prior to the time such Person becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to acquiring such property) (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or at the time of such acquisition (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that such Liens do not extend to other assets of the Borrower or its other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(4)                                 (a) Liens on the Equity Interests of any Person, including any Joint Venture, and its Subsidiaries which, when such Liens arise, concurrently becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or Liens on all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, including any Joint Venture, and its Subsidiaries arising in connection with the purchase or acquisition thereof or of an interest therein by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, including, without limitation, any such Liens on the Equity Interests in or the assets of IM Flash Technologies, LLC or its Subsidiaries to secure obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to all or a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of any Equity Interests in or all or a portion of the assets of IM Flash Technologies, LLC and its Subsidiaries not owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, and (b) Liens on Equity Interests in any Joint Venture of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or in any Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns an Equity Interest in a Joint Venture to secure Indebtedness contributed or advanced solely to that Joint Venture; provided that, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (a) and (b), such Liens do not extend to other assets of the Borrower or its other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                 Liens securing Indebtedness of up to 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets to any strategic partner of the Borrower and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with joint technology efforts between such partner and the Borrower and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries and/or the financing of manufacturing of products;

 

(6)                                 Liens in favor of the Borrower or a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

(7)                                 Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s and mechanic’s Liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, Liens in connection with legal proceedings and Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory, common law or contractual provision relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to securities accounts, deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution;

 

(8)                                 Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or the affected Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

 

(9)                                 Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade or commercial contracts, government contracts, purchase, construction, sales and servicing contracts (including utility contracts), leases,

 

17



 

statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business, deposits as security for contested taxes, import or customs duties, liabilities to insurance carriers or for the payment of rent, and Liens to secure letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties given in connection with the foregoing obligations or in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other types of social security or similar laws and regulations;

 

(10)                          Liens in favor of any customer arising in respect of and not exceeding the amount of performance deposits and partial, progress, advance or other payments by the customer for goods produced or services rendered (or to be produced or rendered) to that customer and consignment arrangements (whether as consignor or consignee) or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods;

 

(11)                          Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods, documents of title and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligation in respect of letters of credit or banker’s acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment, or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(12)                          Liens and deposits securing netting services, business credit card programs, overdraft protection and other treasury, depository and cash management services or incurred in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds or other fund transfer or payment processing services;

 

(13)                          Liens on, and consisting of, deposits made by the Borrower to discharge or defease any other Indebtedness;

 

(14)                          Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof (i) incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to the extent of such Subsidiary’s interest as an insured under such policies;

 

(15)                          Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods and Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements;

 

(16)                          Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate amount, together with all other Indebtedness and other obligations secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed $100,000,000 at any one time outstanding; or

 

(17)                          any extension, renewal, substitution or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, of any Lien referred to in this clause (17) or the preceding clauses (1) through (16), or any Liens that secure an extension, renewal, replacement, refinancing or refunding (including any successive extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings) of any Indebtedness within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment of the Indebtedness (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Indebtedness) being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded, which Indebtedness is or was secured by a Lien referred to in this clause (17) or the preceding clauses (1) through (16).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Liens in the definition of Permitted Liens shall not create any implication that the obligations secured by such Liens constitute Indebtedness.

 

18



 

Person”: any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

 

Plan”: at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

Platform”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.2(b).

 

Prime Rate”: the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal, from time to time, as the prime rate.  The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest rate actually charged to any customer.  MSSF may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

 

Principal Property”: with respect to any Person, all of such Person’s interests in any kind of property or asset (including the capital stock in and other securities of any other Person), except such as the Board of Directors by resolution determines in good faith (taking into account, among other things, the materiality of such property to the business, financial condition and earnings of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole) not to be material to the business of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

Public Lender”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.15.

 

Qualifying Lender”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(B).

 

Quarterly Payment Date”: the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December of each year.

 

Rating Agencies”: (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if any of Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Loans or fails to make a rating of the Term Loans publicly available for reasons outside of the Borrower’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Borrower as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

 

Ratings Decline Period”: with respect to any Change of Control, the period that (1) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of such Change of Control or of the intention by the Borrower or a stockholder of the Borrower, as applicable, to effect such Change of Control or (b) the occurrence of such Change of Control and (2) ends on the 60th calendar day following consummation of such Change of Control; provided, however, that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Term Loan, as noted by the applicable rating agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable rating agency.

 

Rating Event”: the rating on the Term Loans is lowered by both of the Rating Agencies on any day within the 60-day period (which 60-day period will be extended so long as the rating of the Term Loans is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by either of the Rating Agencies) after the earlier of (1) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (2) public disclosure by the Borrower of the occurrence of a Change of Control or the Borrower’s intention to effect a Change of Control; provided, however, that a Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the

 

19



 

reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Administrative Agent in writing at the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event).

 

Register”: the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b)(iv).

 

Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

 

Related Persons”: with respect to any Indemnitee, any Affiliate of such Indemnitee and any officer, director, employee, representative or agent of such Indemnitee or Affiliate thereof, in each case that has provided any services in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty (30) day notice period is waived under any regulation promulgated by the PBGC.

 

Repricing Transaction”: the prepayment (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) regularly scheduled amortization payments and (y) any prepayments under Section 2.14) or refinancing of all or a portion of the Term Loans with the incurrence by any Loan Party of any long-term secured bank debt financing (other than in connection with a Change of Control and excluding intercompany loans and obligations among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) having an effective interest cost or weighted average yield (with the comparative determinations to be made by the Administrative Agent consistent with generally accepted financial practices, after giving effect to, among other factors, margin, interest rate floors, upfront or similar fee or “original issue discount” shared with all lenders of such loans or Term Loans, as the case may be, but excluding the effect of any arrangement, structuring, syndication or other fees payable in connection therewith that are not shared with all lenders of such loan or Term Loans, as the case may be, and without taking into account any fluctuations in the Eurodollar Rate) that is less than the effective interest cost for or weighted average yield (as determined by the Administrative Agent on the same basis) of the Term Loans, including without limitation, as may be effected through any amendment to this Agreement relating to the interest rate for, or weighted average yield of, the Term Loans.

 

Required Lenders”: at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding; provided that whenever there are one or more Defaulting Lenders, the total outstanding Loans of each Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

 

Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and by laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

Responsible Officer”: the chief executive officer, any president, any vice president, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Subsidiary”: each Subsidiary of the Borrower, at least 80% of the Voting Stock of which is owned by the Borrower or one or more Subsidiaries of which at least 80% of the Voting Stock is owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower, provided that, for purposes of the foregoing, any Voting Stock owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Restricted Subsidiary based on the foregoing clause shall be excluded.

 

20



 

S&P”: Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

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, Libya, 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 the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, by 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 the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

SEC”: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.

 

Secured Notes”: means the Borrower’s Senior Secured Notes due September 15, 2023.

 

Secured Obligations”: means any principal, interest, premium (if any), fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under (i) the Security Documents and (ii) any other security agreement with respect to any other series of First Lien Debt, in each case, including, without limitation, all outstanding Obligations, and such obligations in respect of any other series of First Lien Debt issued or outstanding after the date of this Agreement.

 

Secured Parties”: means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Collateral Agent and (c) the Lenders.

 

Securities Act”: means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute or statutes thereto.

 

Security Documents”: the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages, and all security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust or other grants for security executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Guarantor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms.

 

Significant Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” of the Borrower as defined under clauses (1) or (2) of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act; provided that references to “10 percent” in clauses (1) and (2) of such definition shall be replaced with “20 percent”.

 

Single Employer Plan”: any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan.

 

Solicited Discount Proration”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv)(B).

 

21



 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv).

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice”: an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers made pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(iv) substantially in the form of Exhibit J.

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer”: the irrevocable written offer by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit K, submitted following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice.

 

Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iv).

 

Solvent”: when used with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, contingent or otherwise”, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct their business, and (d) such Person and its Subsidiaries will be able to pay their debts as they mature.  For purposes of this definition, (i) “debt” means liability on a “claim”, and (ii) “claim” means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

 

Specified Discount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(ii).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(ii).

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Notice”: an irrevocable written notice of a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment made pursuant to Section 2.13(c)(ii) substantially in the form of Exhibit L.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response”: the irrevocable written response by each Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit M, to a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice.

 

Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(ii).

 

Specified Discount Proration”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(ii)(B).

 

Stated Maturity”: the Original Termination Date; provided that, with respect to any tranche of Extended Term Loans, the Stated Maturity with respect thereto shall instead be the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Offer accepted by the respective Lender.

 

Submitted Amount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

22



 

Submitted Discount”: the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.13(c)(iii).

 

Subsidiary”: with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                 any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)                                 any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

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

 

Term Commitment”: with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite its name on Schedule 1.1 annexed hereto under the heading “Term Commitment Amounts”.

 

Term Loans”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.

 

Term Percentage”: as to any Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Term Commitment then constitutes of the aggregate Term Commitments (or, at any time after the making of the Term Loans on the Closing Date, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then outstanding).

 

Termination Date”: the earlier to occur of (a) the Stated Maturity and (b) the acceleration of the Term Loans.  In the event that one or more Extensions are effected in accordance with Section 2.27, then the Termination Date of each tranche of Term Loans shall be determined based on the respective Stated Maturity applicable thereto (except in cases where clause (b) of the preceding sentence is applicable).

 

Title Insurance Company”: First American Title Insurance Company, or such other title insurance company as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Trademarks”: (i) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, domain names, and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith (other than “intent to use” applications included in Excluded Property (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Trademark License”: any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to Borrower or any Guarantor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

23



 

tranche”: the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).

 

Transferee”: any Assignee or Participant.

 

UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

 

United States”: the United States of America.

 

Voting Stock”: all classes of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) of a Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

1.2.                            Other Definitional Provisions.

 

(a)                                 Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

 

(b)                                 As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (ii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings) and (iii) 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, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights.

 

(c)                                  The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(d)                                 The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  References to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent permitted herein.

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.

 

1.3.                            Delivery of Notices .  Any reference to a delivery or notice date that is not a Business Day shall be deemed to mean the next succeeding day that is a Business Day.

 

24



 

SECTION 2
Amount and Terms of Loans and Commitments

 

2.1.                            Term Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a “Term Loan”) to the Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount equal to the amount of the Term Commitment of such Lender.  The Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.15.

 

2.2.                            Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time (a) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Loans (or no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Closing Date in the case of Eurodollar Loans to be incurred on such date) or (b) on the Closing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans) requesting that the applicable Lenders make the Term Loans on the requested Borrowing Date and specifying the amount to be borrowed.  Upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.  Not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date, each Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the Term Loan or Term Loans to be made by such Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Term Loan or Term Loans available to the Borrower on the Borrowing Date by wire transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account designated in writing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

 

2.3.                            RESERVED.

 

2.4.                            RESERVED.

 

2.5.                            RESERVED.

 

2.6.                            RESERVED.

 

2.7.                            RESERVED.

 

2.8.                            Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)                                 On each Quarterly Payment Date, beginning with the Quarterly Payment Date in September 2016, the Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans then outstanding equal to 0.25% of the aggregate initial principal amounts of all Term Loans theretofore borrowed by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1 (which amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments or repayments (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include repayments pursuant to this Section 2.8)).  The remaining unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans and all other Obligations under or in respect of the Term Loans shall be due and payable in full, if not earlier in accordance with this Agreement, on the Termination Date for the respective tranche of Term Loans.  The Borrower hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.9.

 

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

 

25



 

(c)                                  The Administrative Agent shall, in respect of this Agreement, record in the Register, with separate sub-accounts for each Lender, (i) the amount and Borrowing Date of each Term Loan made hereunder, (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) both the amount of any payment received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender’s Term Percentage thereof.

 

(d)                                 The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender maintained pursuant to Sections 2.8(b) and (c) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Term Loans made to the Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                  If so requested after the Closing Date by any Lender by written notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower will execute and deliver to such Lender, promptly after the Borrower’s receipt of such notice, a Note to evidence such Lender’s Loans in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

2.9.                            Interest Rates and Payment Dates.

 

(a)                                 Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b)                                 Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate from time to time plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 7.1(a) or (b), at any time after the date on which any principal amount of any Loan is due and payable (whether on the maturity date therefor, upon acceleration or otherwise), or after any other monetary Obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall have become due and payable, and, in each case, for so long as such overdue Obligation remains unpaid, the Borrower shall pay, but only to the extent permitted by law, interest (after as well as before judgment) on such unpaid overdue amounts at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal on any Term Loan, the rate of interest that otherwise would be applicable to such Term Loan plus 2% per annum and (ii) in the case of overdue interest, fees, and other monetary Obligations, the rate then applicable to Base Rate Loans plus 2% per annum.

 

(d)                                 Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date; provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.

 

(e)                                  The provisions of this Section 2.9 (and the interest rates applicable to various extensions of credit hereunder) shall be subject to modification as expressly provided in Section 2.27 hereof.

 

2.10.                     Computation of Interest and Fees.

 

(a)                                 Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to Base Rate Loans, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.  The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate.  Any change in the interest rate on a Term Loan resulting from a change in the Base

 

26



 

Rate or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.  The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.

 

(b)                                 Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.  The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate hereunder.

 

2.11.                     Inability to Determine Interest Rate.  If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:

 

(i)                                     the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or

 

(ii)                                  the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period in good faith by such Required Lenders will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Term Loans during such Interest Period,

 

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter.  If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans hereunder requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans, (y) any Term Loans hereunder that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as Base Rate Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans hereunder shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to Base Rate Loans;

 

provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice shall cease or otherwise become inapplicable to such Required Lenders, then such Required Lenders shall promptly give notice of such change in circumstances to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.  Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans hereunder shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Term Loans hereunder to Eurodollar Loans.

 

2.12.                     RESERVED.

 

2.13.                     Optional Prepayment of Loans; Repricing Transaction.

 

(a)                                 Subject to the provisos below, the Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Term Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time on the same Business Day, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans; provided that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.20.  Upon receipt of any such notice of prepayment, the Administrative Agent shall notify each relevant Lender thereof on the date of receipt of such notice.  If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of prepayments of Term Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid.  Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof

 

27



 

(or, if less, the then outstanding principal amount of Term Loans).  The application of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.13(a) shall be made, first, to Base Rate Loans of the respective Lenders (and of the respective tranche, if there are multiple tranches) and, second, to Eurodollar Loans of the respective Lenders (and of the respective tranche, if there are multiple tranches).  Any prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.13(a) shall be applied to the remaining scheduled installments of the Term Loans as directed by the Borrower.  A notice of prepayment of all outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.13(a) may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, securities offerings or other transactions, the proceeds of which will be used to refinance in full this Agreement, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

 

(b)                                 At the time of the effectiveness of any Repricing Transaction that (x) results in any prepayment of Term Loans, or (y) effects any amendment of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction and (in either case) is consummated prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each applicable Lender, a fee in an amount equal to, without duplication, (I) in the case of clause (x), a prepayment premium of 1% of the principal amount of the Term Loans being prepaid and (II) in the case of clause (y), a payment equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of the applicable Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment and subject to such Repricing Transaction.  Such fees shall be due and payable upon the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may prepay the outstanding Term Loans on the following basis:

 

(i)                                     The Borrower shall have the right to make a voluntary prepayment of Term Loans at a discount to par (such prepayment, the “Discounted Loan Prepayment”) pursuant to a Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment, Borrower Solicitation of Discount Range Prepayment Offers or Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, in each case made in accordance with this Section 2.13(c)provided that the Borrower shall not initiate any action under this Section 2.13(c) in order to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment unless (I) at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree) shall have passed since the consummation of the most recent Discounted Loan Prepayment as a result of a prepayment made by the Borrower on the applicable Discounted Prepayment Effective Date; or (II) at least three (3) Business Days shall have passed since the date the Borrower was notified that no Lender was willing to accept any prepayment of any Term Loan at the Specified Discount, within the Discount Range or at any discount to par value, as applicable, or in the case of Borrower Solicitation of Discounted Prepayment Offers, the date of the Borrower’s election not to accept any Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

(ii)                                  Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, the Borrower may from time to time offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Specified Discount Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such offer shall be made available to each Lender, (II) any such offer shall specify the aggregate principal amount offered to be prepaid (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Amount”) and the specific percentage discount to par (the “Specified Discount”) of such Term Loans to be prepaid, (III) the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such offer shall remain outstanding through the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Lender with a copy of such Specified Discount Prepayment Notice and a form of the Specified Discount Prepayment Response to be completed and returned by each

 

28



 

such Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third (3rd) Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Lenders (the “Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date”).

 

(A)                               Each Lender receiving such offer shall notify the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date whether or not it agrees to accept a prepayment of any of its relevant then outstanding Term Loans at the Specified Discount and, if so (such accepting Lender, a “Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender”), the amount of such Lender’s Term Loans to be prepaid at such offered discount. Each acceptance of a Discounted Loan Prepayment by a Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender shall be irrevocable. Any Lender whose Specified Discount Prepayment Response is not received by the Auction Agent by the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept the applicable Borrower Offer of Specified Discount Prepayment.

 

(B)                               If there is at least one Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender, the Borrower will make prepayment of outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this paragraph (B) to each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender in accordance with the respective outstanding amount specified in such Lender’s Specified Discount Prepayment Response given pursuant to subsection (1); provided that, if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans accepted for prepayment by all Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders exceeds the Specified Discount Prepayment Amount, such prepayment shall be made pro-rata among the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts accepted to be prepaid by each such Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Specified Discount Proration”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within three (3) Business Days following the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Lenders’ responses to such offer, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, and the aggregate principal amount to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date, and (III) each Discount Prepayment Accepting Lender of the Specified Discount Proration, if any, and confirmation of the principal amount of such Lender to be prepaid at the Specified Discount on such date. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (ix) below).

 

(iii)                               Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, the Borrower may from time to time solicit Discount Range Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Discount Range Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended to each Lender, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans (the “Discount Range Prepayment Amount”), and the maximum and minimum percentage discounts to par (the “Discount Range”) of the principal amount of such Term Loans willing to be prepaid by the Borrower, (III) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each Lender with a copy of such Discount Range Prepayment Notice and a form of the Discount Range Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding relevant Lender to the Auction

 

29



 

Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders (the “Discount Range Prepayment Response Date”). Each Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer shall be irrevocable and shall specify a discount to par within the Discount Range (the “Submitted Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of any or all of its then outstanding Term Loans (the “Submitted Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Submitted Discount. Any Lender whose Discount Range Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept a Discounted Loan Prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount to their par value within the Discount Range.

 

(A)                               The Auction Agent shall review all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received on or before the applicable Discount Range Prepayment Response Date and shall determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the Applicable Discount and Term Loans to be prepaid at such Applicable Discount in accordance with this subsection (iii). The Borrower agrees to accept on the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date all Discount Range Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, in the order from the Submitted Discount that is the largest discount to par to the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par, up to and including the Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range (such Submitted Discount that is the smallest discount to par within the Discount Range being referred to as the “Applicable Discount”) which yields a Discounted Loan Prepayment in an aggregate principal amount equal to the lower of (I) the Discount Range Prepayment Amount and (II) the sum of all Submitted Amounts. Each Lender that has submitted a Discount Range Prepayment Offer to accept prepayment at a discount to par that is larger than or equal to the Applicable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Submitted Amount (subject to any required proration pursuant to the following subsection (2)) at the Applicable Discount (each such Lender, a “Participating Lender”).

 

(B)                               If there is at least one Participating Lender, the Borrower will prepay the respective outstanding Term Loans of each Participating Lender in the aggregate principal amount specified in such Lender’s Discount Range Prepayment Offer at the Applicable Discount; provided that if the Submitted Amount by all Participating Lenders offered at a discount to par greater than the Applicable Discount exceeds the Discount Range Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Participating Lenders whose Submitted Discount is a discount to par greater than or equal to the Applicable Discount (the “Identified Participating Lenders”) shall be made pro-rata among the Identified Participating Lenders in accordance with the Submitted Amount of each such Identified Participating Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Discount Range Proration”). The Auction Agent shall promptly, and in any case within five (5) Business Days following the Discount Range Prepayment Response Date, notify (I) the Borrower of the respective Lenders’ responses to such solicitation, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of the Discounted Loan Prepayment, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Applicable Discount, and the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Participating Lender of the aggregate principal amount of such Lender to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Participating Lender of the Discount Range Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts

 

30



 

stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(iv)                              Subject to the proviso to subsection (i) above, the Borrower may from time to time solicit Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers by providing the Auction Agent with five (5) Business Days’ notice in the form of a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice; provided that (I) any such solicitation shall be extended to each Lender, (II) any such notice shall specify the maximum aggregate dollar amount of the Term Loans (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount”) the Borrower is willing to prepay at a discount, (III) the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $10,000,000 and whole increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (IV) each such solicitation by the Borrower shall remain outstanding through the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Auction Agent will promptly provide each relevant Lender with a copy of such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice and a form of the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer to be submitted by a responding Lender to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) by no later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time on the third Business Day after the date of delivery of such notice to the relevant Lenders (the “Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date”). Each Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer shall (x) be irrevocable, (y) remain outstanding until the Acceptance Date, and (z) specify both a discount to par (the “Offered Discount”) at which such Lender is willing to allow prepayment of its then outstanding Term Loan and the maximum aggregate principal amount of such Term Loans (the “Offered Amount”) such Lender is willing to have prepaid at the Offered Discount. Any Lender whose Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer is not received by the Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date shall be deemed to have declined prepayment of any of its Term Loans at any discount.

 

(A)                               The Auction Agent shall promptly provide the Borrower with a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received on or before the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date. The Borrower shall review all such Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers and select the largest of the Offered Discounts specified by the relevant responding Lenders in the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers that is acceptable to the Borrower (the “Acceptable Discount”), if any. If the Borrower elects to accept any Offered Discount as the Acceptable Discount, then as soon as practicable after the determination of the Acceptable Discount, but in no event later than by the third Business Day after the date of receipt by the Borrower from the Auction Agent of a copy of all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers pursuant to the first sentence of this subsection (1) (the “Acceptance Date”), the Borrower shall submit an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice to the Auction Agent setting forth the Acceptable Discount. If the Auction Agent shall fail to receive an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice from the Borrower by the Acceptance Date, the Borrower shall be deemed to have rejected all Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers.

 

(B)                               Based upon the Acceptable Discount and the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of an Acceptance and Prepayment Notice (the “Discounted Prepayment Determination Date”), the Auction Agent will determine (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (the “Acceptable Prepayment Amount”) to be prepaid by the Borrower at the Acceptable Discount in accordance with this Section 2.13(c)(iv). If the Borrower elects to accept any Acceptable Discount, then the Borrower agrees to accept all Solicited Discounted

 

31



 

Prepayment Offers received by Auction Agent by the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, in the order from largest Offered Discount to smallest Offered Discount, up to and including the Acceptable Discount. Each Lender that has submitted a Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer with an Offered Discount that is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount shall be deemed to have irrevocably consented to prepayment of Term Loans equal to its Offered Amount (subject to any required pro-rata reduction pursuant to the following sentence) at the Acceptable Discount (each such Lender, a “Qualifying Lender”). The Borrower will prepay outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this subsection (iv) to each Qualifying Lender in the aggregate principal amount specified in such Lender’s Solicited Discounted Prepayment Offer at the Acceptable Discount; provided that if the aggregate Offered Amount by all Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount exceeds the Solicited Discounted Prepayment Amount, prepayment of the principal amount of the Term Loans for those Qualifying Lenders whose Offered Discount is greater than or equal to the Acceptable Discount (the “Identified Qualifying Lenders”) shall be made pro rata among the Identified Qualifying Lenders in accordance with the Offered Amount of each such Identified Qualifying Lender and the Auction Agent (in consultation with the Borrower and subject to rounding requirements of the Auction Agent made in its sole reasonable discretion) will calculate such proration (the “Solicited Discount Proration”). On or prior to the Discounted Prepayment Determination Date, the Auction Agent shall promptly notify (I) the Borrower of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and Acceptable Prepayment Amount comprising the Discounted Loan Prepayment to be prepaid, (II) each Lender of the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date, the Acceptable Discount, and the Acceptable Prepayment Amount of all Term Loans to be prepaid to be prepaid at the Applicable Discount on such date, (III) each Qualifying Lender of the aggregate principal amount to be prepaid at the Acceptable Discount on such date, and (IV) if applicable, each Identified Qualifying Lender of the Solicited Discount Proration. Each determination by the Auction Agent of the amounts stated in the foregoing notices to the Borrower and Lenders shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error. The payment amount specified in such notice to the Borrower shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in accordance with subsection (vi) below (subject to subsection (x) below).

 

(v)                                 In connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Auction Agent may require as a condition to any Discounted Loan Prepayment, the payment of customary fees and expenses from the Borrower in connection therewith.

 

(vi)                              If any Loan is prepaid in accordance with paragraphs (ii) through (iv) above, the Borrower shall prepay such Loans on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. The Borrower shall make such prepayment to the Auction Agent, for the account of the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable, at the Administrative Agent’s office in immediately available funds not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date and all such prepayments shall be applied to the remaining principal installments of Term Loans on a pro rata basis across such installments. The Term Loans so prepaid shall be accompanied by all accrued and unpaid interest on the par principal amount so prepaid up to, but not including, the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) shall be paid to the Discount Prepayment Accepting Lenders, Participating Lenders, or Qualifying Lenders, as applicable. The aggregate principal amount of the installments of the relevant Term Loans outstanding shall be deemed reduced by the full par value of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans prepaid on the Discounted Prepayment Effective Date in any Discounted Loan Prepayment.  In connection with each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.13(c), the Borrower shall waive any right to bring any action

 

32



 

against the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as such, in connection with any such Discounted Loan Prepayment.

 

(vii)                           To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Discounted Loan Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures consistent, with the provisions in this Section 2.13(c), established by the Auction Agent acting in its reasonable discretion and as reasonably agreed by the Borrower.

 

(viii)                        Notwithstanding anything in any Loan Document to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 2.13(c), each notice or other communication required to be delivered or otherwise provided to the Auction Agent (or its delegate) shall be deemed to have been given upon Auction Agent’s (or its delegate’s) actual receipt during normal business hours of such notice or communication; provided that any notice or communication actually received outside of normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given as of the opening of business on the next Business Day.

 

(ix)                              Each of the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that the Auction Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.13(c) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Auction Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Auction Agent to such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Auction Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Discounted Loan Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.13(c) as well as activities of the Auction Agent.

 

(x)                                 The Borrower shall have the right, by written notice to the Auction Agent, to revoke in full (but not in part) its offer to make a Discounted Loan Prepayment and rescind the applicable Specified Discount Prepayment Notice, Discount Range Prepayment Notice or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Notice therefor at its discretion at any time on or prior to the Specified Discount Prepayment Response Date, Discount Range Prepayment Response Date or Solicited Discounted Prepayment Response Date, as applicable (and if such offer is revoked pursuant to the preceding clauses, any failure by the Borrower to make any prepayment to a Lender, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 7.1 or otherwise).

 

2.14.                     Change of Control Prepayment.  If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, the Borrower shall make an offer to prepay the entire principal amount of the Term Loans (the “Change of Control Prepayment Offer”) at 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof and the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of the Change of Control Prepayment Offer in writing within thirty (30) days after the date of such Change of Control Triggering Event.  Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment and include the payment date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date of such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”).  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of the contents of any such prepayment notice and of such Lender’s pro rata share of the prepayment.  Any Lender may elect, by delivering not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, a written notice (such notice, a “Change of Control Acceptance Notice”) that any change of control prepayment be made with respect to all or any portion of the Term Loans held by such Lender pursuant to this Section 2.14.  If a Lender fails to deliver a Change of Control Acceptance Notice within the time frame specified above, any such failure will be deemed a rejection of the Change of Control Prepayment Offer as to all outstanding Term Loans of such Lender.  Any prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be applied to the remaining scheduled installments of the Term Loans as directed by the Borrower.

 

33



 

2.15.                     Conversion and Continuation Options.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, of such election no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.  The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no Base Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversions.  Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

 

(b)                                 Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Term Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuations, and provided, further, that if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to Base Rate Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period.  Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.

 

2.16.                     Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that no more than ten different Interest Periods for any tranche of Term Loans be outstanding at any one time (unless a greater number of Interest Periods is permitted by the Administrative Agent).

 

2.17.                     Pro Rata Treatment, etc.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise provided herein (including Section 2.27), each borrowing by the Borrower from the Lenders hereunder shall be made pro rata according to the Term Percentages of the relevant Lenders.

 

(b)                                 Except as otherwise provided herein (including Sections 2.13(c), 2.14 and 2.27), each payment (including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal or interest on the Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Term Loans then held by the Lenders.

 

(c)                                  All payments by the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Funding Office of the Administrative Agent by 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the date on which such payment shall be due, provided that if any payment hereunder would become due and payable on a day other than a Business Day such payment shall become due and payable on the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.  Interest in respect of any Term Loan hereunder shall accrue from and including the date of such Term Loan to but excluding the date on which such Term Loan is paid in full.

 

34



 

(d)                                 Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a Borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent on demand, such amount with interest thereon, at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three (3) Business Days after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans under this Agreement, on demand, from the Borrower, such recovery to be without prejudice to the rights of the Borrower against any such Lender.

 

(e)                                  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment due to be made by the Borrower hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount.  If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower.

 

(f)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.17 or elsewhere in this Agreement, the Borrower may extend the final maturity of Term Loans in connection with an Extension that is permitted under Section 2.27 without being obligated to effect such extensions on a pro rata basis among the Lenders.  Furthermore, the Borrower may take all actions contemplated by Section 2.27 in connection with any Extension (including modifying pricing and repayments or prepayments), and in each case such actions shall be permitted, and the differing payments contemplated therein shall be permitted without giving rise to any violation of this Section 2.17 or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

2.18.                     Requirements of Law.

 

(a)                                 If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each case, made subsequent to the Closing Date (including, but not limited to, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and, in each case, all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith):

 

(i)                                     shall subject the Administrative Agent or any Lender to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Loan made by it (except for Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 2.19 and any Excluded Taxes);

 

(ii)                                  shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,

 

35



 

advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or

 

(iii)                               shall impose on any such Lender any other condition;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an amount that such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable.  If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.

 

(b)                                 If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the Closing Date shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such corporation for such reduction.

 

(c)                                  A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.18, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.18 for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such 180 days period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.  The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

2.19.                     Taxes.

 

(a)                                 Unless required by applicable law (as determined in good faith by the applicable withholding agent), all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes, excluding (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), gross receipts Taxes (imposed in lieu of net income Taxes) and franchise Taxes (imposed in lieu of net income Taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of such recipient (A) being organized or having its principal office in the applicable taxing jurisdiction, or in the case of any Lender, having its applicable lending office in such jurisdiction, or (B) having any other present or former connection with the applicable taxing jurisdiction (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered, become a party to, or performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, and/or engaged in any activities contemplated with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document); (ii) any Taxes in the nature of the branch profits tax within the meaning of Section 884 of the Code imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (i) above; (iii) other than in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.26 hereof, any U.S. federal withholding

 

36



 

tax except (A) to the extent such withholding tax results from a change in a Requirement of Law after the recipient became a party hereto or changed its lending office or (B) to the extent that such recipient’s assignor (if any) was entitled immediately prior to such assignment or such recipient was entitled immediately prior to changing its lending office to receive additional amounts from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to this Section 2.19(a); (iv) any withholding Tax that is attributable to the recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.19(e) hereof; and (v) any withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.  If any such non-excluded Taxes (“Non-Excluded Taxes”) or Other Taxes are required by law to be withheld by the applicable withholding agent from any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder, or under any other Loan Document: (x) the amounts so payable by the applicable Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary so that after all required deductions for Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes (including deductions for Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.19) have been made, the Lender (or, in the case of any payment made to the Administrative Agent for its own account, the Administrative Agent) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding for Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes been made, (y) the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions, and (z) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.19(a) or Section 2.19(b), unless the Administrative Agent or a Lender gives notice to the applicable Loan Party that such Loan Party is obligated to pay an amount under Section 2.19(a) or Section 2.19(b) within 180 days of the later of (x) the date the applicable party incurs the Taxes or (y) the date the applicable party has knowledge of its incurrence of the Taxes, then such party shall not be entitled to be compensated for any penalties, interest or expenses relating to such Taxes, except to the extent such penalties, interest or expenses arise or accrue on or after the date that occurs 180 days prior to the date such party gives notice to the applicable Loan Party, but if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect (e.g., in connection with the audit of a prior tax year), then such 180 day period shall be extended to include such period of retroactive effect.

 

(b)                                 In addition, the relevant Loan Party shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)                                  Whenever any Taxes are payable by a Loan Party pursuant to this Section 2.19, as promptly as possible thereafter such Loan Party shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received, if any, by the Borrower or other documentary evidence showing payment thereof.

 

(d)                                 The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (within 10 days after demand therefor) for the full amount of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes (including Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.19), and for any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, whether or not such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that the Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify the Administrative Agent or any Lender for any penalties, interest or expenses relating to Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes to the extent that such penalties, interest or expenses are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  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.

 

37



 

(e)                                  Each Lender shall, at such times as are reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with any documentation prescribed by law, or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, certifying as to any entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction in, any withholding Tax with respect to any payments to be made to such Lender under the Loan Documents.  In addition, each Lender shall, at such times as reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, 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.  Each such Lender shall, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders any such documentation (including any documentation specifically referenced below) expired, obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, or upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, deliver promptly to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the applicable withholding agent) or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its legal ineligibility to do so.  Unless the applicable withholding agent has received forms or other documents satisfactory to it indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Lender are not subject to withholding tax or are subject to such Tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty, the Borrower, Administrative Agent or other applicable withholding agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to deliver to the Borrower and to any successor Administrative Agent any documentation provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.19(e).

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(i)                                     Each Lender that is a “United States person” (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two properly completed and duly signed original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.

 

(ii)                                  Each Lender that is not a “United States person” (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(A)                               two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,

 

(B)                               two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),

 

(C)                               in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit E (any such certificate a “United States Tax Compliance Certificate”), or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, to the effect that such Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and that no payments in connection with the Loan Documents are effectively connected with such Lender’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business and (y) two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or any successor forms),

 

38



 

(D)                               to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership, or is a Lender that has granted a participation), Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, United States Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY (or other successor forms) or any other required information from each beneficial owner, as applicable (provided that, if the Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the United States Tax Compliance Certificate shall be provided by such Lender on behalf of such direct or indirect partner(s)), or

 

(E)                                any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax 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 requirements of law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

(iii)                               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 FATCA obligations, to determine whether such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s FATCA obligations and to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (iii), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this clause (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any forms, documentation or other information that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.

 

(f)                                   If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.19, it shall pay over such refund to the applicable Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the such Loan Party under this Section 2.19 with respect to the Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund, net of any Taxes payable by the Administrative Agent or such Lender); provided that the applicable Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

(g)                                  The agreements in this Section 2.19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, any assignment by or replacement of a Lender, resignation of the Administrative Agent and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder or any other Loan Document.

 

39



 

(h)                                 For the avoidance of doubt, any payments made by the Administrative Agent to any Lender shall be treated as payments made by the applicable Loan Party.

 

2.20.                     Indemnity.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, or (c) the making of a prepayment or conversion of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto.  Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market.  A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.20, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section 2.20 for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such 180 days period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect.  This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

2.21.                     Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.18 or 2.19(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Term Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided that such designation is made on terms that, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19(a).

 

2.22.                     Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in the Fee Letter and the Engagement Letter and to perform any other obligations contained therein.

 

2.23.                     RESERVED.

 

2.24.                     Nature of Fees.  All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (for the respective accounts of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders), as provided herein.  Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

 

2.25.                     RESERVED.

 

2.26.                     Replacement of Lenders.  The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20, (b) refuses to extend its Term Loans pursuant to an Extension Offer pursuant to Section 2.27 or (c) does not consent to any proposed

 

40



 

amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby (so long as the consent of the Required Lenders has been obtained), in each case with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such replacement pursuant to preceding clause (a), such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.21 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Sections 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20, (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Term Loans outstanding and other amounts related thereto owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 2.20 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement financial institution (if other than a then existing Lender or an affiliate thereof) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20, as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender.

 

2.27.                     Extensions of Loans and Commitments.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, an “Extension Offer”) made from time to time by the Borrower to any or all Lenders holding Term Loans with a like Stated Maturity, the Borrower may from time to time extend the maturity date of any Term Loans and otherwise modify the terms of such Term Loans pursuant to the terms of the relevant Extension Offer (including, without limitation, by increasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Term Loans (and related outstandings), in each case, without the consent of any other Lenders) (an “Extension”, such Term Loans so extended, an “Extended Term Loan”; and each group of Term Loans so extended, as well as the original Term Loans (not so extended), being a “tranche”; any Extended Term Loans shall constitute a separate tranche of Term Loans from the tranche of Term Loans from which they were converted), so long as the following terms are satisfied: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time any the offering document in respect of an Extension Offer is delivered to the Lenders, (ii) except as to interest rates, fees and final maturity, the Extended Term Loans of any Lender shall be a Term Loan with the same terms as the original Term Loans; provided that at no time shall there be Term Loans hereunder (including Extended Term Loans and any original Term Loans) which have more than three different Stated Maturities, (iii) if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans in respect of which Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans offered to be extended by the Borrower pursuant to such Extension Offer, then the Term Loans of such Lenders shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Lenders have accepted such Extension Offer, (iv) all documentation in respect of such Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing, and all written communications by the Borrower generally directed to the Lenders in connection therewith shall be in form and substance consistent with the foregoing and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (v) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied.

 

(b)                                 With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.27, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section 2.13 or 2.14 and (ii) no Extension Offer is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment, provided that the Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Offer in the Borrower’s discretion) of Term Loans of any or all applicable tranches be

 

41



 

tendered.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the Extensions and the other transactions contemplated by this Section 2.27(b) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest or fees in respect of any Extended Term Loans on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.17 and 9.7(a)) or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.27.

 

(c)                                  The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Borrower as may be necessary in order establish new tranches or sub-tranches in respect of Term Loans so extended and such technical amendments as may be necessary in connection with the establishment of such new tranches or sub-tranches, in each case on terms consistent with this Section 2.27.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to seek the advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders with respect to any matter contemplated by this Section 2.27(c) and, if the Administrative Agent seeks such advice or concurrence, the Administrative Agent shall be permitted to enter into such amendments with the Borrower in accordance with any instructions actually received by such Required Lenders and shall also be entitled to refrain from entering into such amendments with the Borrower unless and until it shall have received such advice or concurrence; provided, however, that whether or not there has been a request by the Administrative Agent for any such advice or concurrence, all such amendments entered into with the Borrower by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be binding and conclusive on the Lenders.  Without limiting the foregoing, in connection with any Extensions, the respective Loan Parties shall (at their expense) amend (and the Collateral Agent is hereby directed to amend) any Mortgage that has a maturity date prior to the then latest Stated Maturity so that such maturity date is extended to the then latest Stated Maturity (or such later date as may be advised by local counsel to the Collateral Agent).

 

(d)                                 In connection with any Extension, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof, and shall agree to such procedures, if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.27.

 

2.28.                     Reserved.

 

2.29.                     Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)                                 Defaulting Lender Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

 

(b)                                 Waivers and Amendments.  The Loans and Term Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.1); provided that any amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.1, require the consent of such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

(c)                                  Defaulting Lender Waterfall.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:  first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as

 

42



 

required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments.  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and such Defaulting Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(d)                                 Defaulting Lender Cure.  If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (unless the Administrative Agent is the Defaulting Lender) agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent (unless the Administrative Agent is the Defaulting Lender) may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the relative amounts of their Commitments, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

SECTION 3
Representations and Warranties

 

In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Term Loans, the Borrower represents and warrants on the Closing Date to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender as follows:

 

3.1.                            Existence; Compliance with Law.  Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (to the extent such concept is applicable) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other organization and (to the extent such concept is applicable) in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.2.                            Power; Authorizations; Enforceable Obligations.  Each Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in

 

43



 

the case of the Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder.  Each Loan Party has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) the filings made in respect of the Security Documents and (iii) to the extent that the failure to obtain any such consent, authorization, filing, notice or other act would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).

 

3.3.                            No Legal Bar.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof (x) will not violate any Requirement of Law or any material Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party and (y) will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such material Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents) except, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), to the extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.4.                            Accuracy of Information.  No statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document, certificate or statement furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, contained as of the Closing Date, taken as a whole and in light of the circumstances in which made, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by them to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Closing Date, as of the Closing Date, it being understood that any such projected financial information may vary from actual results and such variations could be material.

 

3.5.                            No Material Adverse Effect.  Since September 3, 2015, there has been no development or event that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.6.                            SubsidiariesSchedule 3.6 annexed hereto sets forth the name and jurisdiction of organization of each direct Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Capital Stock of which will be pledged as Collateral, as of the Closing Date and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by the Borrower as of the Closing Date, and (b) as of the Closing Date, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options or restricted stock granted to employees or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock that is included in the Collateral, except as created by the Loan Documents or as are not prohibited by Section 6.2.

 

3.7.                            Title to Assets; Liens.  The Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold or easement interest in, all their other material property (including any

 

44



 

Mortgaged Property), taken as a whole, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with their ability to conduct their business as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except Permitted Liens or Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2(b).

 

3.8.                            Intellectual Property.  The Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all Intellectual Property material to the conduct of their businesses, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries does not, to the knowledge of the Borrower, infringe upon, misappropriate or otherwise violate the Intellectual Property rights of any other Person, in each case except where the failure to own or license Intellectual Property, or any infringement on Intellectual Property rights would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.9.                            Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Term Loans shall be utilized for general corporate purposes.

 

3.10.                     Litigation.  No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened (including “cease and desist” letters and invitations to take a patent license) by or against the Borrower or its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries or against any of their respective properties, rights or revenues that, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.11.                     Federal Reserve Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of any Term Loan will be used for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board of Governors.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock.”

 

3.12.                     Solvency.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are, and after giving effect to the incurrence of all Indebtedness and obligations being incurred in connection herewith will be, Solvent.

 

3.13.                     Taxes.  Each of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all federal and state income Tax and other Tax returns that are required to be filed, except if the failure to make any such filing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all Taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other Taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than any (x) the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the relevant entity, or (y) those where the failure to pay, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).  There is no proposed Tax assessment or other claim against, and no Tax audit with respect to, the Borrower or its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.14.                     ERISA.  Except as, in the aggregate, does not or would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: neither a Reportable Event nor a failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA, whether or not waived, with respect to a Plan has occurred during the five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made with respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied in all respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code; no termination of a Single Employer Plan has occurred, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has arisen, during such five-year period; the present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the last annual

 

45



 

valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued benefits; neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan; to the knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry, neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity would become subject to any liability under ERISA if the Borrower or any such Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from any Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made or deemed made; and to the knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry, no Multiemployer Plan is in “critical status” (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA) or Insolvent.

 

3.15.                     Environmental Matters; Hazardous Material.  There has been no matter with respect to Environmental Laws or Materials of Environmental Concern which, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.16.                     Investment Company Act; Other Regulations.  Neither the Borrower nor any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary is required to register as an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  Neither the Borrower nor any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary is subject to regulation under any Requirement of Law that limits its ability to incur Indebtedness under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

3.17.                     Labor Matters.  Except as, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes against the Borrower or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made to employees of each of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the relevant entity.

 

3.18.                     Security Documents.  The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof.  In the case of the pledged stock of a Material Subsidiary described and as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock certificates (if any) representing such Pledged Stock of a Material Subsidiary are delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule 3.18 in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.18, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof to the extent security interests can be so perfected (by delivery or filing UCC financing statements and other such filings as applicable) on such Collateral, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and including the Obligations, in each such case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except other Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2).

 

3.19.                     Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.  The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and to the knowledge of the Borrower its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.  None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any

 

46



 

capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Borrowing, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.

 

3.20.                     EEA Financial Institutions.  No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

SECTION 4
Conditions Precedent

 

4.1.                            Conditions to the Closing Date.  The occurrence of the Closing Date and the making of Term Loans on the Closing Date are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                 Loan Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) counterparts hereof executed and delivered by the Borrower, each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and each other Lender; (ii) Schedules to this Agreement; (iii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by each Loan Party party thereto; and (iv) Schedules to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

 

(b)                                 Corporate Documents and Proceedings.  The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, in the case of the Borrower, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, and, in the case of the Guarantors substantially in the form attached here to as Exhibit A-2, each with appropriate insertions and attachments, including the certificate of incorporation of each Loan Party that is a corporation certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, and (ii) a long form (or, in the case of Loan Parties organized under the State of California, Illinois or Maine, a short form) good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization.

 

(c)                                  No Material Adverse Effect.  Since September 3, 2015, there has been no development or event that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)                                 Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) (it being understood that any representation or warranty that is qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be correct in all respects).

 

(e)                                  No Default or Event of Default.  No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the Closing Date or after giving effect to the entering into this Agreement.

 

(f)                                   Reserved.

 

(g)                                  Lien Searches.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction where a Loan Party is organized, and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(h)                                 Solvency Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a customary certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying as to the solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the transactions contemplated to occur on the Closing Date.

 

47



 

(i)                                     Payment of Fees; Expenses.  The Arrangers and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all reasonable costs and expenses required to be paid and for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date.

 

(j)                                    Legal Opinion.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the following executed legal opinions:

 

(i)                                     one or more legal opinions from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati P.C., counsel to the Borrower and the Guarantors, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(ii)                                  the legal opinion of such local counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and as may be reasonably required by the Administrative Agent.

 

(k)                                 Ratings.  Each of Moody’s and S&P shall have verbally indicated to the Borrower their respective public rating of this Agreement and the Borrower shall have communicated such ratings to the Administrative Agent.

 

(l)                                     Filings, Registrations and Recordings.  Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement and filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office) required by the Security Documents to be filed on the Closing Date or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation except to the extent of items identified in Section 5.8.

 

(m)                             Insurance.  The Administrative Agent shall have received insurance certificates satisfying the requirements of Section 5.4.

 

(n)                                 Notice.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable notice of borrowing, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, from the Borrower.

 

(o)                                 ABL Credit Agreement.  Substantially simultaneously with the funding of the Loans, the credit facilities made available under the ABL Credit Agreement shall have been repaid in full in immediately available funds and all commitments relating thereto shall have been terminated, and all liens and security interests related thereto shall have been terminated or released, and the Administrative Agent shall have received an executed payoff letter in form and substance satisfactory to it in connection therewith on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(p)                                 Patriot Act.  The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and information as is reasonably requested in writing by any Lender at least eight days prior to the Closing Date about the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is required by U.S. Governmental Authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act.

 

48



 

SECTION 5
Affirmative Covenants

 

So long as any Term Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) or any Term Commitment is outstanding:

 

5.1.                            Financial Statements, etc.  The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders), within 15 days after the Borrower has filed the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may prescribe) that the Borrower may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than confidential filings, documents subject to confidential treatment and correspondence with the SEC); provided that in each case the delivery of materials to the Administrative Agent by electronic means or filing of documents pursuant to the SEC’s “EDGAR” system (or any successor electronic filing system) shall be deemed to be “furnished” with the Administrative Agent as of the time such documents are filed via the “EDGAR” system for purposes of this Section 5.1.

 

5.2.                            Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, within 100 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an officers’ certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that a review of the activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Responsible Officer with a view to determining whether the Borrower has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement, and further stating, as to such Responsible Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Borrower has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Agreement and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Term Loans is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                 The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent, forthwith upon any Responsible Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default (which shall be no more than five (5) Business Days following the date on which the Responsible Officer becomes aware of such Default or Event of Default), an officer’s certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

5.3.                            Maintenance of Existence.  Borrower shall preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises reasonably necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, (x) as otherwise permitted by Section 6.3 or (y) to the extent that failure to do so would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.4.                            Maintenance of Insurance.

 

(a)                                 The Loan Parties will maintain insurance policies (or self-insurance) on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually insured against by companies of a similar size engaged in the same or a similar business (after giving effect to any self-insurance which in the good faith

 

49



 

judgment of management of the Borrower is reasonable and prudent in light of the size and nature of its business) and each general liability policy of insurance maintained by a Loan Party shall name the Collateral Agent, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and each general property insurance policy maintained by a Loan Party shall contain a lender loss payable endorsement that names the Collateral Agent, as a joint loss payee thereunder as its interests may appear, provided that, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) all proceeds from insurance policies shall be paid to the Borrower (or a designated Loan Party), (B) to the extent the Collateral Agent receives any proceeds, the Collateral Agent shall turn over to the Borrower any amounts received by it as an additional insured or lender loss payee under any property insurance maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (C) the Collateral Agent agrees that the Borrower and/or its applicable Subsidiary shall have the sole right to adjust or settle any claims under such insurance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries and any Collateral located outside of the United States, the requirements of this Section 5.4 shall be deemed satisfied if the Borrower obtains insurance policies that are customary and appropriate for the applicable jurisdiction. Upon the request of the Collateral Agent, the Borrower and the Guarantors will furnish to the Collateral Agent full information as to their general property and liability insurance carriers; and

 

(b)                                 if at any time any Mortgaged Property that remains subject to a Mortgage is at any time located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agent) as a special flood hazard area, then the Borrower shall, or shall cause the applicable Loan Party to, (i) maintain, or cause to be maintained, with a financially sound and reputable insurer reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, flood insurance in an amount and otherwise sufficient to comply with all applicable rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) deliver to the Collateral Agent evidence of such compliance in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent.

 

5.5.                            Use of Proceeds.  Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans only for the purposes set forth in Section 3.9.

 

5.6.                            After-Acquired Collateral; Further Assurances.

 

(a)                                 With respect to any property acquired after the date of this Agreement by the Borrower or any Guarantor (other than any property or rights described in clause (b) and (c) of this Section 5.6) that constitutes Collateral and as to which the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, does not have a perfected Lien to the extent required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Borrower and each applicable Guarantor shall promptly (provided that, in the case of Intellectual Property, at least quarterly):

 

(i)                                     execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such other documents as the Collateral Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in such property or rights; and

 

(ii)                                  (A) file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or amendments thereto with the applicable filing office in the jurisdiction of formation or incorporation of the Borrower or any Guarantor (as applicable) and/or (B) record filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office within the time specified in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as applicable, in each case, to perfect a security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in such property or rights that is prior to all other Liens on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2.

 

(b)                                 With respect to any fee interest in any real property located in the United States having a Fair Market Value (together with improvements thereof) of at least $100,000,000 acquired after the date of this

 

50



 

Agreement by the Borrower or any Guarantor (other than any such real property subject to a Permitted Lien which precludes the granting of a Mortgage thereon), within 90 days after the acquisition thereof, the Borrower and each applicable Guarantor shall:

 

(i)                                     execute and deliver a first priority Mortgage or where appropriate under the circumstances, an amendment to an existing Mortgage, in each case in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, covering such real property,

 

(ii)                                  if requested by the Collateral Agent, provide the Secured Parties with (A) either (x) title insurance covering such real property in an amount at least equal to the purchase price of such real property (or such other amount as shall be reasonably specified by the Collateral Agent) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, as well as a current ALTA survey thereof, together with a surveyor’s certificate or (y) where an amendment to an existing Mortgage has been delivered pursuant to clause (i), an endorsement to the existing title policy adding such property as an insured parcel, and (B) any consents or estoppels reasonably deemed necessary or advisable by the Collateral Agent in connection with such Mortgage or Mortgage amendment (to the extent obtainable using commercially reasonable efforts), each of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(iii)                               if requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and include opinions regarding the enforceability of such Mortgage and the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof; and

 

(iv)                              deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the respective Loan Party) with respect to such property and, if such property is located in an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency) as a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance required by Section 5.4.

 

(c)                                  With respect to any Subsidiary that is required to become a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.1 or otherwise elects to become a Guarantor, within 60 days of the date such Subsidiary is required to become a Guarantor (or such date of election if such election is made by such Subsidiary) the Borrower and each applicable Guarantor shall:

 

(i)                                     cause such Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or other filings in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to grant to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2) in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with respect to such Subsidiary and (C) to deliver to the Collateral Agent a customary closing certificate of such Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, with appropriate insertions and attachments; and

 

(ii)                                  if requested by the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent customary legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

51



 

5.7.                            Compliance with Laws.  The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

5.8.                            Post-Closing Obligations.  The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date that is 90 days after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) (i) counterparts of a Mortgage with respect to each Mortgaged Property duly executed and delivered by the record title holder of such Mortgaged Property, (ii) to the extent applicable in the relevant jurisdiction (A) a policy or policies of title insurance (or marked unconditional commitment to issue such policy or policies) in the amount equal to not less than 100% (or such lesser amount as reasonably agreed to by the Administrative Agent) of the Fair Market Value of such Mortgaged Property and fixtures, as reasonably determined by the Borrower and agreed to by the Administrative Agent, issued by the Title Insurance Company insuring the Lien of each such Mortgage as a first priority Lien on the Mortgaged Property described therein, free of any other Liens except for Permitted Liens, together with such endorsements (other than a creditor’s rights endorsement) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction at commercially reasonable rates, (B) such affidavits, instruments of indemnification (including a so-called “gap” indemnification) as are customarily requested by the Title Insurance Company to induce the Title Insurance Company to issue the title policies and endorsements contemplated above, (C) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Borrower of all title policy premiums, search and examination charges, escrow charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages and issuance of the title policies referred to above, (D) a survey of each Mortgaged Property in such form as shall be required by the Title Insurance Company to issue the so-called comprehensive and other survey-related endorsements and to remove the standard survey exceptions from the title policies and endorsements contemplated above (provided, however, that a survey shall not be required to the extent that the issuer of the applicable title insurance policy provides reasonable and customary survey-related coverages (including, without limitation, survey-related endorsements) in the applicable title insurance policy based on an existing survey and/or such other documentation as may be reasonably satisfactory to the title insurer), (E) completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property subject to the applicable FEMA rules and regulations (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and each Loan Party relating thereto) and (F) if any Mortgaged Property is located in an area determined by FEMA to have special flood hazards, evidence of such flood insurance as may be required under applicable law, including Regulation H of the Board of Governors and the other Flood Insurance Laws and as required under Section 5.4 and (iii) such legal opinions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to any such Mortgage or Mortgaged Property.

 

SECTION 6
Negative Covenants

 

The Borrower agrees that, so long as any Term Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) or any Term Commitment is outstanding:

 

6.1.                            Limitation on Subsidiary Indebtedness.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness (any such Indebtedness or Guarantee, “Subsidiary Debt”), without causing such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Obligations, pursuant to Section 5.6(c), until such time as such Subsidiary Debt is no longer outstanding or in effect.

 

52



 

(b)                                 Section 6.1(a) shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Subsidiary Debt in any computation under such restriction, Subsidiary Debt constituting:

 

(1)                                 Subsidiary Debt of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with or otherwise acquired by the Borrower or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or otherwise becomes a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (or arising thereafter pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such Person becoming a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary) and is assumed by such Subsidiary, other than any increase in the amount of such Subsidiary Debt (including any increase in the amount of such Subsidiary Debt arising pursuant to contractual commitments entered into prior to such acquisition) incurred in contemplation thereof; provided that any such Subsidiary Debt is not Guaranteed by any other Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than any Guarantee existing at the time of such merger, consolidation or sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets and that was not issued in contemplation thereof);

 

(2)                                 Subsidiary Debt owed to the Borrower or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary or under Guarantees of any such Subsidiary Debt;

 

(3)                                 Subsidiary Debt created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed to pay or finance the payment of all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of property, assets or equipment acquired or developed, operated, constructed, altered, repaired or improved by a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary, and any related transactional fees, costs and expenses, provided such Subsidiary Debt is created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed within 18 months (or in the case of any Subsidiary Debt supported by an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (i) the acquisition or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of such property, assets or equipment, whichever is later, or (ii) the placing into commercial operation of such property after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement (or, in each case, is incurred pursuant to firm commitment financing arrangements obtained within such period), and, provided further, that the outstanding amount of such Subsidiary Debt, without duplication, does not exceed 100% of the fair value of the property or equipment acquired or developed, operated, constructed, altered, repaired or improved at the time such Subsidiary Debt is incurred;

 

(4)                                 Subsidiary Debt permitted to be secured by Liens permitted by clauses (4) or (5) of the definition of Permitted Lien (whether or not such Subsidiary Debt is in fact secured by such Liens) and any Guarantees thereof; or

 

(5)                                 Subsidiary Debt outstanding on the date of this Agreement and any extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding of any Subsidiary Debt existing on the date of this Agreement or referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4); provided that any Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Subsidiary Debt) of the Subsidiary Debt referred to in this clause (5) or clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above and the outstanding amount of the Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts

 

53



 

payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding Sections 6.1(a) and (b), any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may create, assume, incur, Guarantee or otherwise become liable for Indebtedness that would otherwise be subject to Section 6.1(a), without Guaranteeing the Obligations hereunder, if after giving effect thereto, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the date of the creation or incurrence of the Subsidiary Debt. Any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary also may, without Guaranteeing the payment of the Obligations, extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund any Subsidiary Debt permitted pursuant to the preceding sentence; provided that any Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall be incurred within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Subsidiary Debt) of the Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded and the outstanding amount of the Subsidiary Debt incurred to so extend, renew, substitute, replace, refinance or refund shall not exceed the outstanding amount of Subsidiary Debt being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded plus any premiums or fees (including tender premiums) or other reasonable amounts payable, plus the amount of fees, expenses and other costs incurred, in connection with any such extension, renewal, substitution, replacement, refinancing or refunding.

 

(d)                                 For purposes of this Section 6.1, in the event that any Subsidiary Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Subsidiary Debt in such Section, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Subsidiary Debt and only be required to include the amount and type of such Subsidiary Debt in one of clauses (1) through (5) of Section 6.1(b) or Section 6.1(c), and Subsidiary Debt may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of the types of Subsidiary Debt described above. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with this Section 6.1, in no event will the amount of any Subsidiary Debt be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to any related Indebtedness (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where more than one Domestic Restricted Subsidiary incurs Subsidiary Debt or otherwise becomes liable for such Subsidiary Debt, the amount of such Subsidiary Debt shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

 

(e)                                  The Guarantee of the Obligations by any Subsidiary will terminate upon:

 

(1)                                 the release or discharge of the Indebtedness of or Guarantee by such Subsidiary that resulted in the obligation to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.1(a) (or would have resulted in the creation of a Guarantee pursuant to Section 6.1(a) had such Guarantee not already been in place) (other than a discharge of (A) a Guarantee as a result of payment under such Guarantee or (B) Indebtedness as a result of the acceleration of such Indebtedness due to a default or event of default under the terms thereof);

 

(2)                                 a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary such that such Subsidiary is no longer a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; or

 

(3)                                 if such Subsidiary was not required to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.1(a) but did so at its option, the request by such Subsidiary of release at any time; provided that after giving effect to such release the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenant set forth in this Section 6.1.

 

54



 

The Administrative Agent will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Subsidiary from its obligations under its Guarantee pursuant to the foregoing.

 

6.2.                            Limitation on Liens.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, to create or incur any Lien on any Principal Property or on Collateral, in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in order to secure any Indebtedness, except Permitted Liens.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 6.2(a), the Borrower or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may create or incur Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 6.2(a), if after giving effect thereto, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the date of the creation or incurrence of the Lien; provided that any such Liens that are created or incurred in reliance on this Section 6.2(b) shall only secure Pari Passu Lien Indebtedness. The Borrower or any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower also may create or incur Liens that extend, renew, substitute or replace (including successive extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien permitted pursuant to this or the preceding sentence or that secure any extension, renewal, replacement, refinancing or refunding (including any successive extensions, renewals, replacements, refinancings or refundings) of any Indebtedness within 12 months of the maturity, retirement or other repayment or prepayment of the Indebtedness (including any such repayment pursuant to amortization obligations with respect to such Indebtedness) being extended, renewed, substituted, replaced, refinanced or refunded, which Indebtedness is secured by a Lien permitted pursuant to this or the preceding sentence.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date under this Agreement and under the Secured Notes issued on the Closing Date shall be treated as incurred on the Closing Date under this paragraph.

 

(c)                                  For purposes of this Section 6.2, (1) the creation of a Lien to secure Indebtedness which existed prior to the creation of such Lien will be deemed to involve Indebtedness in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the asset subjected to such Lien and (y) the principal amount secured by such Lien, and (2) in the event that a Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens or Liens created or incurred in reliance on Section 6.2(b), the Borrower, in its sole discretion, will classify, and may reclassify, such Lien and only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien as a Permitted Lien or a Lien created or incurred in reliance on Section 6.2(b), and a Lien may be divided and classified and reclassified into more than one of such types of Liens. In addition, for purposes of calculating compliance with this Section 6.2, in no event will the amount of any Indebtedness or Liens securing any Indebtedness be required to be included more than once despite the fact more than one Person is or becomes liable with respect to such Indebtedness and despite the fact such Indebtedness is secured by the assets of more than one Person (for example, and for avoidance of doubt, in the case where there are Liens on assets of one or more of the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries securing any Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness secured shall only be included once for purposes of such calculations).

 

6.3.                            Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties, rights and assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, unless:

 

55



 

(1)                                 either (i) the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger is the Borrower or (ii) the Person (if other than the Borrower) formed by such consolidation or into which the Borrower is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, all or substantially all of the properties, rights and assets of the Borrower (the “Successor Company”), is an entity organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

(2)                                 in any such transaction in which there is a Successor Company, the Successor Company expressly assumes the Obligations pursuant to joinder agreements or other documents reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(3)                                 immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default and no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

This Section 6.3 shall not apply to:

 

(i)                                     a merger of the Borrower with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Borrower in another jurisdiction in the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; or

 

(ii)                                  any consolidation or merger of (a) the Borrower into a Guarantor, (b) a Guarantor into the Borrower or another Guarantor or (c) a Subsidiary of the Borrower into the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower; or

 

(iii)                               any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of property, rights or assets (a) by the Borrower to a Guarantor, (b) by a Guarantor to the Borrower or another Guarantor or (c) by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

(b)                                 Upon any consolidation of the Borrower with, or merger of the Borrower into, any other Person or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the properties, rights and assets of the Borrower to a Successor Company in accordance with the conditions described in Section 6.3(a), the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Borrower under this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents with the same effect as if such Successor Company had been named as the Borrower and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

(c)                                  For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of Material Intellectual Property by Borrower to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries in a single or series of related transactions where the conditions set forth in the proviso to Section 9.14(a) have been satisfied shall not be considered a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all the properties, rights or assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for purposes of this Section 6.3.

 

6.4.                            Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

 

(a)                                 The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries, to enter into any sale and lease-back transaction with respect to any Principal Property or Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, unless:

 

56



 

(1)                                 such transaction was entered into prior to the Closing Date;

 

(2)                                 such transaction was for the sale and leasing back to the Borrower or a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Principal Property or Collateral;

 

(3)                                 such transaction involves a lease of Principal Property or Collateral executed by the time of or within 18 months (or in the case of any transaction supported by the credit of an export credit agency, 24 months) after the later of (i) the acquisition or the completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of such property, assets or equipment or (ii) the placing into commercial operation of such Principal Property or Collateral after the acquisition or completion of any such development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement;

 

(4)                                 such transaction involves a lease for not more than three years (or which may be terminated by the Borrower or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary within a period of not more than three years);

 

(5)                                 the Borrower or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property to be leased in an amount equal to Attributable Debt with respect to such sale and lease-back transaction pursuant to Section 6.2(a); or

 

(6)                                 the Borrower or the applicable Domestic Restricted Subsidiary applies an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the Principal Property to the purchase of other Principal Property or to the retirement, repurchase or other repayment or prepayment of the Loans or other Pari Passu Lien Indebtedness within 365 calendar days before or after the effective date of any such sale and lease-back transaction.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding Section 6.4(a), the Borrower and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into any sale and lease-back transaction which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions if after giving effect thereto and at the time of determination, Aggregate Debt does not exceed an amount equal to the greatest of (1) $2.50 billion, (2) 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower and (3) 1.75 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the Measurement Period immediately preceding the closing date of the sale and lease-back transaction.

 

6.5.                            Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.  The Borrower will not request any Borrowing, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

SECTION 7
Events of Default

 

7.1.                            Events of Default.  Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

(a)                                 failure by the Borrower to pay principal when due;

 

57



 

(b)                                 failure by the Borrower to pay any interest or any other obligation due under this Agreement or the Security Documents for 30 calendar days after such amount becomes due;

 

(c)                                  failure by the Borrower to comply with Section 2.14 in connection with a Change of Control Triggering Event and such failure continues for a period of 30 calendar days;

 

(d)                                 failure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to perform, or breach by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of, any other covenant, agreement or condition in this Agreement or any Security Document for 90 calendar days after either the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have given the Borrower written notice of the breach in the manner required by this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness under the indenture governing the Secured Notes or any agreement governing other First Lien Debt, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Borrowing of the Loans, if both: (a) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or such default is with respect to another obligation under such Indebtedness and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing the payment of such Indebtedness to be accelerated and to become due prior to its stated maturity; and (b) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness not so paid when due, or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100.0 million or more;

 

(f)                                   the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Debtor Relief Law:

 

(1)                                 commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(2)                                 consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking an arrangement of debt, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or relief under applicable Debtor Relief Laws;

 

(3)                                 consents to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

(4)                                 makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(g)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Debtor Relief Law that:

 

(1)                                 is for relief against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary in a proceeding in which the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

 

(2)                                 appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(3)                                 orders the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

58



 

provided that, in the cases of the foregoing clauses (f) and (g), (i) such event or circumstance is either (x) a voluntary proceeding or results therefrom or (y) under or pursuant to the laws of such Person’s jurisdiction of incorporation or organization or the jurisdiction in which its head office is located or the laws of the jurisdictions in which all or substantially all its assets are located, and (ii) in no event shall any such event or circumstance constitute an Event of Default if such event or circumstance is a result of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar proceeding with respect such Person or its assets or business that was ongoing or in process at the time such Person became a Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any alternate proceedings) or other such proceedings that are in the nature of either a continuation or extension thereof;

 

(h)                                 any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) with respect to Collateral with a book value greater than $150,000,000, or any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien (affecting Collateral with a book value greater than $150,000,000) created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby (other than, in each case, pursuant to a failure of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any other agent appointed by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders to take any action within the sole control of such Person) (it being understood that the release of Collateral from the Security Documents or the discharge of a Guarantor therefrom shall not be construed (x) as any of the Security Documents ceasing to be in full force and effect or (y) as any of the Liens created thereunder ceasing to be enforceable or of the same priority and effect purported to be created thereby) and such Default continues for 60 calendar days after either the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have given the Borrower written notice of the Default in the manner required by this Agreement; and

 

(i)                                     except as permitted by this Agreement or the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, any Guaranty Reimbursement Obligation of a Significant Subsidiary ceases, for any reason, to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Significant Subsidiary that is a Guarantor denies or disaffirms in writing its obligations under its Guaranty Reimbursement Obligation.

 

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (f) or (g) of this Section 7.1 with respect to the Borrower, all outstanding Term Loans will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Required Lenders may declare all the Term Loans to be due and payable immediately.  Upon any such declaration, the Term Loans shall become due and payable immediately.  The Required Lenders by written notice to the Administrative Agent may, on behalf of all of the Lenders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

 

In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Term Loans because an Event of Default described in Section 7.1(e) has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Term Loans shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1(e) shall be remedied or cured, or waived by the holders of the First Lien Debt, or the First Lien Debt that gave rise to such Event of Default shall have been discharged in full, within 30 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Term Loans would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the Term Loans that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Term Loans, have been cured or waived.

 

59



 

SECTION 8
The Agents

 

8.1.                            Appointment.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Collateral Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, none of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

8.2.                            Delegation of Duties.  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may execute any of their duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  None of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in fact selected by it with reasonable care.

 

8.3.                            Exculpatory Provisions.  Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.  The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.

 

8.4.                            Reliance by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, email message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless the Administrative Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required

 

60



 

Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.

 

8.5.                            Notice of Default.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless it has received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”.  In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, it shall give notice thereof to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as the Administrative Agent shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

 

8.6.                            Non-Reliance on the Agent and Other Lenders.  Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Term Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any 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 analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates.  Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys in fact or affiliates.

 

8.7.                            Indemnification.  The Lenders agree to indemnify the Agent in their capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Term Percentage in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section 8.7 (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Term Commitments shall have terminated and the Term Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Term Percentage immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Term Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent, in any way relating to or arising out of, the Term Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent under or in connection with any

 

61



 

of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent’s, gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The agreements in this Section 8.7 shall survive the payment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

 

8.8.                            Agent in Its Individual Capacity.  Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent.  With respect to its Term Loans made or renewed by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.

 

8.9.                            Successor Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon ten (10) days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.  If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as an Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Term Loans.  If no successor agent has accepted appointment as an Administrative Agent by the date that is ten (10) days following the retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.  After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation, the provisions of this Section 8 and Section 9.5 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

8.10.                     The Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents.  The Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents shall not have any duties or responsibilities hereunder in their capacity as such or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Co-Syndication Agents or the Co-Documentation Agents.

 

8.11.                     Collateral Security.  The Collateral Agent will hold, administer and manage any Collateral pledged from time to time under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement either in its own name or as Collateral Agent, but each Lender shall hold a direct, undivided pro rata beneficial interest therein, on the basis of its proportionate interest in the Secured Obligations, by reason of and as evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, subject to the priority of payments referenced in Section 6.4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

8.12.                     Enforcement by the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.  All rights of action under this Agreement and under the Notes and all rights to the Collateral hereunder may be enforced by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and any suit or proceeding instituted by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in furtherance of such enforcement shall be brought in its name as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent without the necessity of joining as plaintiffs or defendants any other Lenders, and the recovery of any judgment shall be for the benefit of Lenders subject to the expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

62



 

8.13.                     Withholding Tax.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.6(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 this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 8.13.  The agreements in this Section 8.13 shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of this Agreement and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

SECTION 9
Miscellaneous

 

9.1.                            Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a)                                 None of this Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1.  Except to the extent otherwise provided in (or permitted by) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (I) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto or to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (II) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (A)(i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Term Loan, (ii) reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder (except in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, (iii) increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Term Commitment (it being understood that a waiver of any Event of Default or Default shall not be deemed to be an increase in the amount of or extension of the expiration date of any Lender’s Term Commitments ), or (iv) release all or substantially all of the Collateral for the Obligations or release all or substantially all of the Guarantors (except, in either case, as expressly permitted by the Loan Documents), in each case without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (B) RESERVED; (C) without the consent of all the Lenders, (i) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 9.1(a) or any other provision of any Section hereof expressly requiring the consent of all the Lenders (except, in either case, for technical amendments with respect to additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement which afford protections to such additional extensions of credit of the type provided to the Term Commitments on the Closing Date), or (ii) reduce the percentage specified in or otherwise change the definition of Required Lenders (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required Lenders or as otherwise permitted hereunder, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the extensions of Term Commitments are included on

 

63



 

the Closing Date), or (iii) change Section 2.17 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby (other than as permitted thereby or by Section 9.1(b)), (D) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 8 or any other provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, which affects, the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent and (E) require consent of any Person to an amendment to this Agreement made pursuant to Section 2.27 other than the Borrower and each Lender participating in the respective Extension.  Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans.  In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under any other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to have not occurred or to be cured and not continuing, as the parties may agree; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Borrower and the institutions providing each Refinancing Credit Facility (as defined below) (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement for the purpose of refinancing or replacing any and all of the Term Loans and Term Commitments hereunder (each a “Refinancing Credit Facility”) and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, (ii) any Refinancing Credit Facility does not mature prior to the earliest maturity date of the Term Loans being refinanced and (iii) the other terms and conditions of such Refinancing Credit Facility (excluding pricing and optional prepayment and redemption terms) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable to the Lenders providing such Refinancing Credit Facility than, those applicable to the Term Loans being refinanced (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the latest Termination Date of the Term Loans existing at the time of such refinancing).

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within ten (10) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are each hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (and each such Lender expressly consents), without any further action or the consent of any other party to any Loan Document, to make any technical amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to correct any cross-references therein to any provision of this Agreement that may be necessary in order to properly reflect the amendments made to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Loan Documents, the Loans of any Lender that is at the time a Defaulting Lender shall not have any voting or approval rights under the Loan Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all Lenders, all affected Lenders or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 9.1); provided that any waiver, amendment or modification (i) requiring the consent of all Lenders or (ii) each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of each Defaulting Lender.

 

64



 

9.2.                            Notices.

 

(a)                                 All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when received, addressed as follows in the case of the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in the administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto and any future holders of the Notes:

 

The Borrower:

Micron Technology, Inc.

 

8000 S. Federal Way

 

Boise, Idaho 83716-9632

 

Attention: General Counsel

 

 

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

 

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

 

650 Page Mill Road

 

Palo Alto, CA 94304

 

Attention: John Fore

 

Telecopier No.: 650-493-6811

 

 

The Administrative Agent:

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

 

1585 Broadway

 

New York, New York 10036

 

Attention: Agency Team

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Telephone No.: 917-260-0588

 

 

 

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

 

425 Lexington Ave

 

New York, NY 10017

 

Attention: Justin M. Lungstrum

 

Telecopier No.: 212-455-2502

 

(b)                                 Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites or other information platform) (the “Platform”) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.8(e), 2.11, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, 2.20 and 2.27(d) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the 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), provided that if such notice 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, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the

 

65



 

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.

 

(c)                                  RESERVED.

 

(d)                                 Each of the Loan Parties understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Administrative Agent, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(e)                                  The Platform and any Approved Electronic Communications are provided “as is” and “as available”.  None of the Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or representatives warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the Approved Electronic Communications or the Platform and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Platform and the Approved Electronic 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 of the Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or representatives in connection with the Platform or the Approved Electronic Communications.

 

(f)                                   Each of the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agent agree that Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, store any Approved Electronic Communications on the Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary document retention procedures and policies.

 

9.3.                            No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.  No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

9.4.                            Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Term Loans and the other extensions of credit hereunder.

 

9.5.                            Payment of Expenses.  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with (i) the development, negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, including any amendment, supplement or modification to any of the foregoing and (ii) the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Arrangers, taken as a whole (and, to the extent necessary, one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for all such entities, taken as a whole and, solely in the case of an actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to the affected entities similarly situated, taken as a whole), and security interest filing and recording fees and expenses, (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender for all its reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,

 

66



 

including without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders and each of their respective affiliates, taken as a whole (and, to the extent reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for all such entities, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or potential conflict of interest, one additional local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to the affected entities similarly situated, taken as a whole), and (c) to pay, and indemnify and hold harmless each Lender, each Arranger, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and each of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and agents (each, an “Indemnitee”) from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, preservation of rights and administration of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or the use of the proceeds of the Term Loans or any of the foregoing relating to the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of the Loan Parties or any of their respective properties and the reasonable fees and expenses of one legal counsel for the Indemnitees taken as a whole in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan Document (all the foregoing in this clause (c), collectively, the “indemnified liabilities”), provided that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to indemnified liabilities to the extent (x) determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of such Indemnitee’s Related Persons, (y) resulting from a material breach by such Indemnitee or any of such Indemnitee’s Related Persons of its material obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (z) related to any dispute solely among Indemnitees other than any claims against any Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as an Agent, an Arranger or any similar role under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and other than any claims involving any act or omission on the part of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided, further, that the Borrower shall in no event be responsible for consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section 9.5 except such consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages required to be paid by such Indemnitee in respect of any indemnified liabilities.  Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower agrees not to assert and to cause its Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party nor any of their respective Subsidiaries shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, any claim against each Lender, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent, each Arranger, each Agent and their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys, representatives, agents or sub-agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Term Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Loan Party hereby waives, releases and agrees, on behalf of themselves and each of their respective Subsidiaries, not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.  All amounts due under this Section 9.5 shall be payable not later than 10 days after written demand therefor.  The agreements in this Section shall survive repayment of the Term Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.  This Section 9.5 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

67



 

9.6.                            Successors and Assigns; Participations.

 

(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, except that (i) unless otherwise permitted by Section 6.3 hereof, the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.

 

(b)                                 (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Term Commitments and the Term Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

 

(A)                               the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default under Section 7.1(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and

 

(B)                               the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

 

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

 

(A)                               except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Term Loans, the amount of the Term Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 7.1(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;

 

(B)                               (1) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (although the Borrower shall not be responsible for the payment of the recordation fee unless the Borrower has chosen to replace a Lender pursuant to Section 2.26) and (2) the assigning Lender shall have paid in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent;

 

(C)                               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 Borrower and its Affiliates 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

 

68



 

(D)                               none of the Loan Parties, their respective Affiliates or any natural person shall be an Assignee hereunder.

 

For the purposes of this Section 9.6, “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.

 

(iii)                               Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, 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 Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance 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 2.18, 2.19, 2.20 and 9.5 for the period of time in which it was a Lender hereunder.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.6 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.

 

(iv)                              The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Term Commitments of, and principal amount (and interest amounts) of the Term 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 or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.  Any assignment of any Term Loan shall be effective only upon appropriate entries with respect thereto being made in the Register.

 

(v)                                 Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance (executed via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent (or, if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually)), by a transferor Lender and an Assignee, as the case may be (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not then a Lender, by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to the extent required under paragraph (c) below), together with payment to the Administrative Agent by the transferor Lender or the Assignee of a recordation and processing fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) on the effective date of such transfer determined pursuant thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii) give notice of such acceptance and recordation to the transferor Lender, the Assignee and the Borrower.

 

(vi)                              Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.6(b), no consent of the Administrative Agent (and no processing and recordation fee or administrative questionnaire) shall be required to be obtained, paid or delivered (as the case may be) for any assignment of Term Loans in any principal amount as part of a purchase of such Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(c).

 

69



 

(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”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Term 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 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 pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any other Loan Document or to otherwise exercise its voting righting rights under this Agreement and any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 9.1(a) and (2) directly affects such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (c)(i) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18, 2.19 and 2.20 (subject to the requirements and limitations of such sections and Sections 2.21 and 2.26 and it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.19(e) shall be delivered solely 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.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 9.7(a) as though it were a Lender.

 

(i)                                     A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent that any entitlement to a greater payment results from a change in any Requirement of Law arising after such Participant became a Participant.

 

(ii)                                  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 related interest amounts) of each participant’s interest in the Term Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”).  The entries in a 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.  No Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of a Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Loans) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Loan is in registered form under Section 5f.103(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations or, if different, under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code.

 

(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 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.

 

(e)                                  Subject to Section 9.15, the Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Transferee and any prospective Transferee (in each case which agrees to comply with the provisions of Section 9.15 or confidentiality requirements no less restrictive on such prospective transferee than those set forth in Section 9.15) any and all financial information in such Lender’s possession concerning the Borrower and its

 

70



 

Affiliates which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with such Lender’s credit evaluation of the Borrower and its Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement.

 

9.7.                            Adjustments; Setoff.

 

(a)                                 Except to the extent that this Agreement, any other Loan Document or a court order expressly provides or permits for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders, if any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it (other than in connection with an assignment or participation made pursuant to Section 9.6 or in connection with an auction that is permitted under Section 2.13(c)), or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by setoff or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.7(a), no purchase of Term Loans in connection with an Auction that is permitted under Section 2.13(c) (and no payment made or cancellation of such Term Loans in connection therewith) and no extension of Term Loans that is permitted under Section 2.27 shall constitute a payment of any of such Term Loans for purposes of this Section 9.7.

 

(b)                                 In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law and subject to the terms of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, each Lender shall have the right, without notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any Obligations becoming due and payable by the Borrower (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to apply to the payment of such Obligations, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.

 

9.8.                            Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or email transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

9.9.                            Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

9.10.                     Integration.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any

 

71



 

Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.

 

9.11.                     GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

9.12.                     Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.

 

(a)                                 Subject to clause (b)(iii) of this Section 9.12, each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof, in each case that are located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York;

 

(b)                                 The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(i)                                     agrees that any such action or proceeding shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(ii)                                  agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set forth in Section 9.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(iii)                               agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of any Agent, any Arranger or any Lender to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

 

(iv)                              waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

 

9.13.                     Acknowledgements.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                 it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)                                 notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents and the Arrangers shall have no powers, duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(c)                                  the Agent, the Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Lenders and their Affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower; and

 

(d)                                 no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

72



 

9.14.                     Releases of Guarantees and Liens.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (and each such Lender hereby expressly consents) (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 9.1(a)), and each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent hereby agrees with the Borrower, to take any action reasonably requested by the Borrower to effect the release of any Collateral or Guarantor from its guarantee obligations (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 9.1(a) including, in each case and without limitation, any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Collateral or Guarantor (other than to the Borrower or another Guarantor), including as a result of any investments of Collateral in non-Guarantor Subsidiaries to the extent not prohibited by the Loan Documents, (ii) to the extent any such release is permitted at such time pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (including in connection with the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) or (iii) under the circumstances described in paragraphs (b) or (c) below (and, upon the consummation of any such transaction in preceding clause (i), (ii) or (iii), such Collateral shall be transferred free and clear of all Liens under the Security Documents and/or such Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement); provided that if any such transaction is a sale, transfer or other disposition (whether in the form of an exclusive license or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the Material Intellectual Property to any Person (in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions), unless such transaction or series of related transactions is pursuant to a Change of Control not prohibited by Section 6.3 or a sale, transfer or other disposition to a Guarantor or a Person that becomes a Guarantor in connection with such transaction, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall be required to take any such action requested by the Borrower to effect the release of any Collateral if and only if each of the following additional conditions are satisfied: (x) there is no Default or Event of Default immediately prior to or after giving effect to such transaction(s), and (y) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying that (1) the Borrower has determined that such conveyances and/or transfers are necessary or desirable in connection with a reorganization, restructuring, optimization or other similar event/action in furtherance of the business interests of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (2) each transferee in such transaction or series of transactions is a Restricted Subsidiary, and (3) the Borrower has or will receive consideration for such Material Intellectual Property that constitutes fair market value of such Material Intellectual Property as determined by the Borrower in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

(b)                                 At such time as the Term Loans and the other obligations under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the Security Documents with respect to the Loans, and the Security Documents and all obligations with respect to the Loans (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Loan Party under the Security Documents shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

(c)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Lenders hereby agree, and each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender) to take any action required by the Borrower having the effect of releasing a Guarantor from its guarantee obligations hereunder and as a Grantor under the Security Documents if (i) all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor have been sold or otherwise disposed of (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not a Borrower or a Guarantor or (ii) such Guarantor has been liquidated or dissolved.

 

(d)                                 In connection with any release of Collateral of the type described above in clause (a) or (c) or any other transaction involving Collateral which transaction is not prohibited by the Loan Documents,

 

73



 

notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (and each such Lender hereby expressly consents) (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 9.1(a)) to take any action with respect to the Collateral requested by the Borrower to the extent necessary to evidence such release or other transaction, including without limitation, directing the Collateral Agent to execute agreements (including, without limitation, with third parties) with respect to any Collateral, upon the delivery to the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent of a certificate signed by an officer of the Borrower stating that such action and the release of the Collateral or other transaction, as applicable, is permitted by each Security Document.

 

9.15.                     Confidentiality.  Each Agent, each Arranger, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent, and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Agent, any Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent, any Co-Documentation Agent, or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate thereof (so long as such affiliate agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.15), (b) subject to an agreement to comply with provisions no less restrictive than this Section 9.15, or to any actual or prospective Transferee (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) to its employees, directors, officers, agents, attorneys, accountants, partners and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand, or in accordance with the requirements (including reporting requirements), of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Lender, provided that to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall promptly notify the applicable Loan Party of such disclosure (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law or other legal process, provided that to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall promptly notify the applicable Loan Party of such disclosure (except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accountants or any governmental bank authority exercising examination or regulatory authority), (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding; provided that to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall promptly notify the applicable Loan Party of such disclosure, (g) to the extent such information has been independently developed by such Lender or that has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of this Agreement, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, or (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that all information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, will be syndicate-level information, which may (except as provided in the following paragraph) contain material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities.  Accordingly, each Lender confirms to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that (i) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information, (ii) 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, including federal and state securities laws and (iii) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws.

 

The Borrower acknowledges that certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower, its subsidiaries or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”) and, if documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2

 

74



 

or otherwise are being distributed through the Platform, the Borrower agrees to designate those documents or other information that are suitable for delivery to the Public Lenders as such.  Any document that the Borrower has indicated contains non-public information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such Public Lenders.  If the Borrower has not indicated whether a document delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2 contains non-public information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Lenders who wish to receive material nonpublic information with respect to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their securities.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that copies of the Loan Documents may be distributed to Public Lenders (unless the Borrower promptly notifies the Administrative Agent that any such document contains material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities).

 

9.16.                     WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.  THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

9.17.                     Patriot Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each 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 Patriot Act.  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide, to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such actions as are reasonably requested by each Lender and the Administrative Agent to maintain compliance with the Patriot Act.

 

9.18.                     No Fiduciary Duty.  Each Agent, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent, each Lender, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lenders”) may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower, its stockholders and/or its affiliates.  The Borrower agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrower, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Borrower except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrower, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person.  The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Borrower has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto.  The Borrower agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.  None of the Arrangers identified on the cover page or signature pages of this Agreement shall have any rights, powers, obligations, liabilities, responsibilities or duties under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as a Lender hereunder.  Without limiting any other provision of this Article, none of such Arrangers in their respective capacities as such shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, the Administrative Agent,

 

75



 

any Co-Syndication Agent, any Co-Documentation Agent, or any other Person by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

9.19.                     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

i)                                         the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

ii)                                      the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(1)                                 a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(2)                                 a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(3)                                 the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

9.20.                     Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation.  Each Lender party to this Agreement, and the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders, hereby agree that:

 

(a)                                 all First Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all First Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) in respect of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting collateral for such Obligations (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) in respect of this Agreement and the Loan Documents and that all such First Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of all holders of First Lien Obligations equally and ratably;

 

(b)                                 the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in respect of the Obligations (as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement) in respect of this Agreement and the Loan Documents represented thereby are bound by the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, including without limitation the provisions relating to the ranking of First Liens and the order of application of proceeds from enforcement of First Liens; and

 

(c)                                  the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders consent to and direct the Collateral Agent to perform the Collateral Agent’s obligations under the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 9.20 are intended for the enforceable benefit of, and will be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, all holders of First Lien Debt, each existing and future representative of First Lien Debt and the Collateral Agent.

 

76



 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and the year first written.

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Name:

Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

 

Vice President, Finance

 

[Signature Page to Micron Technology, Inc. Credit Agreement]

 



 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

 

as Administrative Agent and a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jonathan Rauen

 

 

Name:

Jonathan Rauen

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Micron Technology, Inc. Credit Agreement]


Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

and certain of its Subsidiaries

 

in favor of

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of April 26, 2016

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 1.

Defined Terms

1

 

 

 

1.1

Definitions

1

1.2

Other Definitional Provisions

7

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

Guarantee

7

 

 

 

2.1

Guarantee

7

2.2

Right of Contribution

8

2.3

No Subrogation

8

2.4

Amendments, etc with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations

9

2.5

Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional

9

2.6

Reinstatement

10

2.7

Payments

10

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

Grant of Security Interest

10

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

Representations and Warranties

11

 

 

 

4.1

Title; No Other Liens

11

4.2

Perfected First Priority Liens

11

4.3

Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office

12

4.4

Investment Property

12

4.5

Intellectual Property

12

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

Covenants

13

 

 

 

5.1

Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation

13

5.2

Changes in Name, etc.

14

5.3

Intellectual Property

14

5.4

Delivery of Pledged Notes

16

5.5

Investment Property

16

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

Remedial Provisions

16

 

 

 

6.1

Certain Matters Relating to Receivables

16

6.2

Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable

17

6.3

Investment Property and Instruments

17

6.4

Proceeds to be Turned Over to Collateral Agent

18

6.5

Application of Proceeds

18

6.6

Code and Other Remedies

19

6.7

Registration Rights

20

6.8

Subordination

20

6.9

Deficiency

21

6.10

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

21

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

The Collateral Agent

21

 

 

 

7.1

Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.

21

7.2

Duty of Collateral Agent

23

7.3

Financing Statements

23

7.4

Authority of Collateral Agent

23

7.5

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement

23

 

 

 

SECTION 8.

Miscellaneous

24

 

 

 

8.1

Amendments in Writing

24

8.2

Notices

24

8.3

No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies

24

8.4

Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification

24

8.5

Successors and Assigns

25

8.6

Set-Off; Limitation on Individual Actions

25

8.7

Counterparts

25

8.8

Severability

25

8.9

Section Headings

26

8.10

Integration

26

8.11

GOVERNING LAW

26

8.12

Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers

26

8.13

Acknowledgements

26

8.14

Additional Grantors; Release of Guarantors; Releases of Collateral

27

8.15

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

28

 

ANNEXES

 

 

Annex I

Name of Guarantors

Annex II

Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

Exhibit A

Copyright Security Agreement

Exhibit B

Patent Security Agreement

Exhibit C

Trademark Security Agreement

 

 

 

SCHEDULES

 

 

Schedule 1

Notice Address

Schedule 2

Investment Property

Schedule 3

Perfection Matters

Schedule 4

Jurisdiction of Organizational and Chief Executive Offices

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

Schedule 5

Intellectual Property

 

iii



 

GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of April 26, 2016, made by MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. (the “Borrower”) and each of the signatories from time to time hereto (the “Guarantors”), in favor of MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) from time to time party to the Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Lenders, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as the administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) and Collateral Agent.

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the other Grantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Grantors would also like to induce other creditors to make available from time to time First Lien Debt (other than as described above) subject to the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Guarantors has agreed to guaranty the Obligations and to secure its respective Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first-priority security interest in the Collateral described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Collateral Agent and the Lenders to enter into and make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                            Defined Terms

 

1.1                                 Definitions.  (a)  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the New York UCC:  Accounts (as defined in Article 9 of the New York UCC), Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Documents, Equipment, Fixture,

 



 

General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Letter-of-Credit Rights and Supporting Obligations.

 

(b)                                 The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property”: as defined in Section 5.3(c).

 

Agreement”: this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Borrower Obligations”:  the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Term Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the respective Term Loans and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, premiums (if any), reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Collateral Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements).

 

Capital Lease Obligations”: the obligations of any 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 leases 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.

 

CFC”: a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

 

Closing Date”:  April 26, 2016.

 

Collateral”: as defined in Section 3.

 

Collateral Account”: any collateral account established by the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 6.1 or Section 6.4.

 

Copyrights”:  (i) all copyrights, database rights, design rights, mask works and works of authorship arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished (including, without limitation, those listed in Schedule 5), all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

2



 

Copyright Licenses”:  any written agreement naming any Grantor as a party, granting any right under any Copyright, including, without limitation, the grant of rights to reproduce, prepare derivative works based upon, perform, display, manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Copyright Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Credit Agreement”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Default”: any “Default” under and as defined in this Agreement or the Credit Agreement.

 

Deposit Account”: as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and, in any event, including, without limitation, any demand, time, savings, passbook or like account maintained with a depositary institution.

 

Excluded Property”:  with respect to any Grantor, (i) Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock constituting more than 65% of the total voting power of all outstanding Capital Stock of such subsidiary (including for this purpose any voting debt security or other voting instrument that is treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes); (ii) any Equity Interests of an Excluded Property Subsidiary, or joint ventures and non-wholly owned Subsidiaries which cannot be pledged without the consent of third parties, (iii) any fee-owned real property (other than the Mortgaged Property), Fixtures (other than Fixtures on or to Mortgaged Property) or leasehold interest in real property, (iv) all vehicles and other assets covered by a certificate of title, (v) property subject to a purchase money arrangement or Capital Lease Obligation only to the extent and for so long as the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted prohibits the creation of any other Lien securing Indebtedness on such property, (vi) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations, to the extent security interests in such licenses, franchises, charters or authorizations are prohibited or restricted thereby only for so long as the applicable license, franchise, charter or authorization prohibits or restricts the creation by such Grantor of a security interest in such license, franchise, charter or authorization, (vii) any lease, license, contract or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in (A) the abandonment, invalidation, voiding or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (B) a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Requirement of Law or principles of equity), provided, however, that such security interest shall attach immediately and automatically at such time as the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation, voiding or unenforceability shall be remedied and, to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement that does not result in any of the consequences specified in (A) or (B) including any Proceeds of such lease, license, contract or agreement, (viii) any property of a Grantor to the extent and for so long as the grant of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in such Grantor’s right, title or interest therein is prohibited by applicable Requirement of Law (including any requirement to obtain the consent of any Governmental Authority or third party); provided, that the foregoing exclusions in this clause (vii) shall in no way be construed to apply to the extent that

 

3



 

the prohibition is unenforceable under Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable Requirement of Law or principles of equity; provided, further, that such security interest shall attach immediately and automatically without further action when such prohibition is repealed, rescinded or otherwise ceases to be effective, (ix) all Commercial Tort Claims and any Letter-of-Credit Rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing), (x) Deposit Accounts (other than the Collateral Accounts), (xi) any intent-to-use application for registration of a Trademark prior to the filing of a Statement of Use or an Amendment to Allege Use, solely to the extent, and for so long as, the grant or creation by any Grantor of a security interest therein would impair the registrability thereof, or the validity or enforceability of any registration issuing therefrom, (xii) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets could result in material adverse tax consequences to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Collateral Agent, and (xiii) any other asset or property with respect to which the Borrower and the Collateral Agent determine that the costs of obtaining a security interest therein are excessive in relation to the value of the security afforded thereby.

 

Event of Default”:  any “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement.

 

Excluded Property Subsidiary”: (a) each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) each Immaterial Subsidiary and (c) any not-for-profit Subsidiaries, captive insurance companies or other special purpose subsidiaries designated by Borrower from time to time.

 

First Lien Documents”: as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.

 

Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock”: the voting Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary or any FSHCO.

 

Guaranteed Obligations”: in (i) the case of the Borrower, all Other Loan Party Obligations of each Non-Borrower Guarantor and (ii) the case of any Non-Borrower Guarantor, all Borrower Obligations and all Other Loan Party Obligations of each other Guarantor.

 

Guarantors”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Grantors”: the collective reference to the Borrower and each Guarantor identified as a Grantor on Annex I to the signature page hereto, together with any other entity that may become a party hereto (and is identified as a Grantor) as provided herein.

 

Immaterial Subsidiary”: a Subsidiary that is not a Material Subsidiary.

 

Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including, without limitation, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, trade secrets, and any transferable

 

4



 

rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intellectual Property Security Agreements”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Investment Property”: the collective reference to all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the New York UCC (other than any Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock excluded from the definition of “Pledged Stock”).

 

IP Agreements”: all agreements, permits, consents, orders and franchises relating to the license (including, without limitation, the Copyright Licenses, Patent Licenses and Trademark Licenses), development, use or disclosure of any Material Intellectual Property to which a Grantor, now or hereafter, is a party or a beneficiary.

 

IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement”: as defined in Section 5.3(c).

 

Issuers”: the collective reference to each issuer of any Investment Property or any Pledged Note.

 

Lenders”: as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Material Intellectual Property”: any of the Intellectual Property owned by a Grantor and the material rights of a Grantor under any IP Agreement, including material rights under a license agreement, that (i) is related to computer memory products manufactured and sold in commercial volumes, or processes used to make such products, by Borrower and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) are rights that, if the Borrower and the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries failed to own or have such rights, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Subsidiary”: each wholly-owned direct Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower most recently ended for which financial statements are available, had total assets (based on book value) as of the end of such quarter in excess of $100,000,000 or that is designated by Borrower as a “Material Subsidiary”.

 

New York UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

 

Non-Borrower Guarantor”: each Guarantor other than the Borrower.

 

Obligations”:  (i) in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower Obligations, and (ii) in the case of each Non-Borrower Guarantor, its Other Loan Party Obligations.

 

Officer’s Certificate”: a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

Other Loan Party Obligations”: with respect to any Non-Borrower Guarantor, all obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2 hereof), any Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement

 

5



 

obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the applicable Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document).

 

Patents”:  (i) all letters patent and patent rights of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues, reexaminations, and extensions thereof, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, (ii) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisionals, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (iii) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent License”: all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to make, have made, manufacture, use, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import or export any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent.

 

Patent Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

Pledged Notes”: the promissory notes listed on Schedule 2, and all other promissory notes held by and payable to any Grantor (other than promissory notes issued in connection with extensions of trade credit by any Grantor in the ordinary course of business) for Indebtedness in excess of $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount.

 

Pledged Stock”: the shares of Capital Stock listed on Schedule 2, together with any other shares, stock certificates, options, interests or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Capital Stock of any Person (other than an Excluded Property Subsidiary) that may be issued or granted to, or held by, a Grantor while this Agreement is in effect; provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock be required to be pledged hereunder.

 

Permitted Prior Lien”:  a Permitted Lien of the type described in any of clauses (2), (3), (4), (5) or (13) of the definition thereof, or of the type described in clause (17) with respect to Liens of the type described in any of clauses (2), (4), (5) or (13) of the definition thereof.

 

Proceeds”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the New York UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Receivable”: any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance (including, without limitation, any Account).

 

Responsible Officer”: any of the Borrower’s Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, any Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer or Secretary.

 

Secured Debt Termination Date”: as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

6



 

Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Series of First Lien Debt”: as defined in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Trademarks”: (i) all trademarks, service marks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos, domain names, and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith (other than “intent to use” applications included in Excluded Property), whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, including, without limitation, any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (ii) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Trademark License”: any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

Trademark Security Agreement”: as defined in Section 5.3(b).

 

1.2                                 Other Definitional Provisions.  (a)  The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(b)                                 The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(c)                                  Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

SECTION 2.                            Guarantee

 

2.1                                 Guarantee.  (a)  Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all Guaranteed Obligations.

 

(b)                                 Without limiting the generality of anything herein, or in any other First Lien Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Non-Borrower Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to such amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum liability and all other liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of such Guarantor that are relevant under applicable Federal or state bankruptcy or insolvency laws, fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws, or similar such laws, result in the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under applicable Federal or state laws (after giving effect to all rights of subrogation, contribution or reimbursement, subject to Section 2.3 ).

 

7



 

(c)                                  Each Non-Borrower Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party hereunder.

 

(d)                                 The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Debt shall have occurred.

 

(e)                                  No payment made by the Borrower, any of the Non-Borrower Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party from the Borrower, any of the Non-Borrower Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations), remain liable for the Guaranteed Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Debt shall have occurred.

 

2.2                                 Right of Contribution.  Each Non-Borrower Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Non-Borrower Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Non-Borrower Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Non-Borrower Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment.  Each Non-Borrower Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.3.  The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

2.3                                 No Subrogation.  Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, no Guarantor shall be entitled to seek or enforce its right to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties by the Borrower on account of the Borrower Obligations are paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted) and the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Debt shall have occurred.  If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Borrower Obligations shall not have been paid in full or such payment is otherwise prohibited pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall,

 

8



 

forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Collateral Agent, if required), to be applied against the Borrower Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Collateral Agent may determine.

 

2.4                                 Amendments, etc with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.  Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations made by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may be rescinded by the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party and any of the Guaranteed Obligations may be continued, and the Guaranteed Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, and the First Lien Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Collateral Agent (or the relevant Secured Parties, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Lender nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Guaranteed Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.

 

2.5                                 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional.  Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Guaranteed Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between the Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2.  Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon the Borrower or any of the Non-Borrower Guarantors with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.  Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of any First Lien Documents, any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Borrower or any other Person against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrower, such Guarantor or any other Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of the Borrower or any other obligor for the Guaranteed Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee

 

9



 

contained in this Section 2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.  When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against any Guarantor.  For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

2.6                                 Reinstatement.  The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Non-Borrower Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Non-Borrower Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

2.7                                 Payments.  Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the applicable Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars at the applicable Funding Office.

 

SECTION 3.                            Grant of Security Interest

 

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “Collateral”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations:

 

(a)                                 all Accounts;

 

(b)                                 all Chattel Paper;

 

(c)                                  all Documents;

 

(d)                                 all Collateral Accounts;

 

(e)                                  all Equipment;

 

10



 

(f)                                   all Fixtures on or to Mortgaged Property;

 

(g)                                  all General Intangibles;

 

(h)                                 all Instruments;

 

(i)                                     all Intellectual Property;

 

(j)                                    all Inventory;

 

(k)                                 all Goods;

 

(l)                                     all Investment Property;

 

(m)                             all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

 

(n)                                 to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;

 

providedhowever, that notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 3, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in any Excluded Property.  For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no Obligation shall be (i) guaranteed by any Foreign Subsidiary, FSHCO or other Subsidiary that is not a Grantor, or (ii) secured by any assets of any Foreign Subsidiary, FSHCO, or other Subsidiary that is not a Grantor (including any Equity Interests held directly or indirectly thereby, or any rights to or interest in intangible property under a license agreement or other arrangement related to the development, ownership, or exploitation of intangible property).

 

SECTION 4.                            Representations and Warranties

 

To induce the Collateral Agent and the Lenders to enter into and to make their respective extensions of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent that:

 

4.1                                 Title; No Other Liens.  Except for Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement, such Grantor owns, or has rights in, each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens.  No effective financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement or as are filed with respect to Permitted Liens or Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

4.2                                 Perfected First Priority Liens.  The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 3 (which, in the case of all filings and other documents referred to on said Schedule, have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in completed and duly executed form to the extent required to be delivered prior to

 

11



 

the Closing Date) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral for which such filings and actions are effective to perfect such security interests in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for such Grantor’s Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral other than Permitted Liens and Liens not prohibited by Section 6.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

4.3                                 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office.  On the date hereof, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, identification number from the jurisdiction of organization (if any), and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office or sole place of business, as the case may be, are specified on Schedule 4.

 

4.4                                 Investment Property.  (a)  The shares of Pledged Stock pledged by such Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer owned by such Grantor or, in the case of Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock, 65% of the outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock of each relevant Issuer.

 

(b)                                 All the shares of Pledged Stock issued by an Issuer which is a Subsidiary of a Grantor have been duly and validly issued and are, if such shares are shares of stock in a domestic corporation, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(c)                                  Each of the Pledged Notes issued by an Issuer which is a Subsidiary of such Grantor constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor with respect thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

4.5                                 Intellectual Property.  (a)  Except as either individually or in the aggregate could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) to the knowledge of each Grantor, the operation of such Grantor’s business as currently conducted and the use of the Material Intellectual Property in connection therewith do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, misuse or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of any third party; and (ii) such Grantor is the exclusive owner or joint owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Material Intellectual Property, or is entitled to use all such Material Intellectual Property subject only to the terms of the related IP Agreements.

 

(b)                                 The Intellectual Property set forth on Schedule 5 includes all registrations of or applications for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights that are Material Intellectual Property owned by a Grantor.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property on Schedule 5 shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

(c)                                  The owned Material Intellectual Property owned by each Grantor is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or part, and to the knowledge of such Grantor, is valid and enforceable. For clarity, the foregoing representation and

 

12



 

warranty shall not apply to Material Intellectual Property constituting rights under any IP Agreement.

 

(d)                                 The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement will not result in the termination or impairment of any of the Material Intellectual Property or any Grantor’s rights therein.  For clarity, the foregoing representation and warranty shall not apply to the exercise by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, or the Lenders of any remedy under this Agreement, including the direct enforcement of any rights under any IP Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.                            Covenants

 

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Agreement and until the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Debt:

 

5.1                                 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation.  (a)  Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having the priority described in clause (b) of Section 4.2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever; provided that such Grantor shall not be required to take any action to perfect a security interest in the Collateral other than those actions described in clause (a) of Section 4.2, Section 5.3, Section 5.4 or Section 5.5.

 

(b)                                 At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation authorize, and have recorded, any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) with the applicable filing office in the jurisdiction of formation or incorporation of each Grantor with respect to the security interests created, but subject in each case to the limitations set forth in Section 5.1(a).

 

(c)                                  For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as set forth in clause (a) of Section 5.1, no Grantor shall be required to (A) take any action with respect to perfection by any other means besides filings of the type specified in Section 4.2, which other methods include possession or “control” under the Uniform Commercial Code (whether effected by transfer of possession, control agreements or other steps) or any other method with respect to any Documents, Instruments, Investment Property, Chattel Paper, cash, Deposit Accounts, commodities and securities accounts (including securities entitlements and related assets), except, with respect to Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes, for the actions required pursuant to Section 5.3, Section 5.4 and Section 5.5, (B) obtain landlord lien waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters with respect to any leasehold interests in real property, (C) authorize or have filed any financing statement as a fixture filing, (D) take any action with respect to perfection that may be required under non-U.S. laws, (E) take any action to obtain any consents or agreements from third parties to permit the grant of a

 

13



 

security interest in any Excluded Property or (F) take any action with respect to perfection with respect to any consignment of goods. For the further avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except as set forth in clause (a) of Section 5.1, prior to an enforcement event following the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default no notices shall be sent by the Collateral Agent to, or required by the Collateral Agent to be sent by any Grantor, to account debtors or other third party obligors notifying such account debtors or obligors of the security interests created hereby or directing such account debtors or third party obligors to make payment to a different person or account.

 

5.2                                 Changes in Name, etc.  Such Grantor will promptly (and in any event within 20 days or such longer period as is reasonably agreed to by the Collateral Agent) provide prior written notice to the Collateral Agent and delivery to the Collateral Agent of all additional financing statements and other executed documents reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein, if such Grantor (i) changes its jurisdiction of organization from that referred to in Section 4.3 or (ii) changes its name, and such Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent additional financing statements as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein.

 

5.3                                 Intellectual Property.  (a)  Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, subject to the provisions of paragraph (iv) below:

 

(i)                   With respect to each item of its Material Intellectual Property, each Grantor agrees to take, at its expense, actions, which may include, without limitation, registering in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office, to (x) maintain the validity and enforceability of such Material Intellectual Property and maintain such Material Intellectual Property in full force and effect, and (y) pursue the registration and maintenance of each Patent, Trademark, or Copyright registration or application, now or hereafter included in such Material Intellectual Property of such Grantor, including, without limitation, the payment of required fees and taxes, the filing of responses to office actions issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, the filing of applications for renewal or extension, the filing of affidavits under Sections 8 and 15 of the U.S. Trademark Act, the filing of divisional, continuation, continuation-in-part, reissue and renewal applications or extensions, the payment of maintenance fees and the participation in interference, reexamination, opposition, cancellation, inter partes review, infringement and misappropriation proceedings.

 

(ii)                No Grantor shall do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of its Material Intellectual Property may lapse, be terminated or become invalid or unenforceable or placed in the public domain (or, in case of a trade secret, lose its competitive value).

 

(iii)             Each Grantor shall take actions to preserve and protect each item of its Material Intellectual Property.

 

(iv)            Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Grantor shall only be required to take actions or refrain from taking or omit to take actions pursuant to the foregoing

 

14



 

clauses (i) through (iii) as it determines in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment are commercially reasonable, and nothing in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting a Grantor from effecting any transaction not prohibited by the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, a transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition or license not prohibited by the Credit Agreement).

 

(b)                                 With respect to its Material Intellectual Property, within 30 days of the Closing Date or such later date which the Collateral Agent consents to in writing, each Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent, with respect to all Material Intellectual Property that is registered or with respect to which registration is pending (i) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “Copyright Security Agreement”), (ii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “Patent Security Agreement”) and (iii) an agreement, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (a “Trademark Security Agreement” and, together with each Copyright Security Agreement and each Patent Security Agreement, the “Intellectual Property Security Agreements”), in each case, for recording the security interest granted hereunder to the Collateral Agent in such Material Intellectual Property with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property in any Intellectual Property Security Agreement shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor agrees that should it obtain an ownership interest in any Intellectual Property that is not on the date hereof a part of the Material Intellectual Property (“After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property”) (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto, and (ii) any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property and, in the case of Trademarks, the goodwill symbolized thereby, shall automatically become part of the Material Intellectual Property if and to the extent such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property meets the definition of Material Intellectual Property, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect thereto.  Following the acquisition of its interest in any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property (on at least a quarterly basis, and with respect to After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property constituting registered Copyrights, within thirty (30) days of such acquisition), each Grantor shall provide written notice to the Collateral Agent identifying the registered or applied-for Patents, Trademarks and/or Copyrights that are not on the date hereof a part of the Material Intellectual Property, including any such After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property, (other than any such registered or applied-for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights as to which a prior notice under this Section 5.3(c) has been provided and an IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement, as hereinafter defined, has been recorded as required by this Section 5.3(c)) and such notice shall include all such new After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property, and such Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent with such written notice, or otherwise authenticate, an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent (an “IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement”) covering such Intellectual Property, which IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement shall be recorded with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office and/or any other U.S. governmental authorities necessary to perfect the security interest hereunder in any such Intellectual Property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,

 

15



 

nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall require any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries to make any filings or take any actions to record or perfect the Collateral Agent’s Lien on and security interest in any Intellectual Property other than Material Intellectual Property.  For the avoidance of doubt, the inclusion of specific Intellectual Property in any notice of After-Acquired Material Intellectual Property or in any IP Domestic Security Agreement Supplement shall not create any implication that any such Intellectual Property constitutes Material Intellectual Property.

 

(d)                                 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no Grantor shall be obligated to (a) effect any filings with respect to Material Intellectual Property outside of the United States, or (b) perfect any Lien in any Intellectual Property established in any jurisdiction other than the United States.

 

5.4                                 Delivery of Pledged Notes.  If any Instrument is or becomes a Pledged Note, such Instrument shall promptly be delivered to the Collateral Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

5.5                                 Investment Property.  If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the Pledged Stock (constituting Collateral hereunder) of any Material Subsidiary of such Grantor, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares of the Pledged Stock of a Material Subsidiary of such Grantor, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Collateral Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Collateral Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations; provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding Foreign Subsidiary Voting Stock be required to be delivered or pledged hereunder.

 

SECTION 6.                            Remedial Provisions

 

6.1                                 Certain Matters Relating to Receivables. If required by the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any payments of Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within three Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Collateral Agent for the account of the Secured Parties only as provided in Section 6.4, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.

 

16



 

6.2                                 Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable.  (a) The Collateral Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with obligors under the Receivables constituting Collateral hereunder and parties to the contracts constituting Collateral hereunder to verify with them to the Collateral Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any such Receivables or contracts.

 

(b)                                 Upon the request of the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Receivables constituting Collateral hereunder and parties to the contracts constituting Collateral hereunder that such Receivables and the contracts have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)                                  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Receivables and contracts to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) or contract by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) or contract, to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

6.3                                 Investment Property and Instruments.  (a)  Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have given written notice to the relevant Grantor of the Collateral Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 6.3(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of the Investment Property (including Pledged Stock) and all payments made in respect of Instruments (including the Pledged Notes), in each case paid in the normal course of business of the relevant Issuer and consistent with past practice and to exercise all voting and corporate or other organizational rights with respect to the Investment Property; provided that no vote shall be cast or corporate or other organizational right exercised or other action taken which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement or this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall give written notice of its intent to exercise its rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Investment Property constituting Collateral hereunder and make application thereof to the Obligations in such order as the Collateral Agent may determine, and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to cause any or all of the Investment Property to be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, and the Collateral Agent or its

 

17



 

nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Investment Property at any meeting of shareholders of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Investment Property as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Investment Property constituting Collateral hereunder upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or other organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Collateral Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Investment Property, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of such Investment Property with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c)                                  Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Investment Property pledged by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Collateral Agent in writing that (x) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Investment Property directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

6.4                                 Proceeds to be Turned Over to Collateral Agent.  In addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties specified in Section 6.1 with respect to payments of Receivables, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required).  All Proceeds constituting Collateral hereunder received by the Collateral Agent hereunder shall be held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account maintained under its sole dominion and control.  All Proceeds constituting Collateral hereunder while held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account (or by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 6.5.

 

6.5                                 Application of Proceeds.  At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Collateral Agent’s election, the Collateral Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds constituting Collateral, and any proceeds of the guarantee set forth in Section 2, in payment of the Obligations in the following order:

 

First, to pay incurred and unpaid fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent under the First Lien Documents;

 

18



 

Second, to the Collateral Agent, for application by it towards payment of amounts then due and owing and remaining unpaid in respect of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then due and owing and remaining unpaid to the Secured Parties;

 

Third, to the Collateral Agent, for application by it towards prepayment of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then held by the Secured Parties; and

 

Fourth, any balance remaining after the Secured Debt Termination Date with respect to the First Lien Debt shall be paid over to the Borrower or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same;

 

provided that in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and this Section 6.5, the term of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

6.6                                 Code and Other Remedies.  (a)  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may, subject to the requirements of applicable law, in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Collateral Agent or any Secured Party shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.6, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such order as the Collateral Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the New York UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by

 

19



 

applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

(b)                                 For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise rights and remedies hereunder at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, distribute, perform, display, prepare derivative works based upon, make, have made, sell, offer to sell, have sold, import, export, practice, make improvements, license or sublicense any of the Intellectual Property constituting Collateral now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located.  Such license shall include access to all media in which any of the Intellectual Property constituting Collateral may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout hereof.  With respect to Trademarks, such license shall be subject to the requirement that the quality of goods and services offered under the Trademarks be substantially consistent with the quality of the goods and services offered thereunder by such Grantor prior to the Collateral Agent’s exercise of rights and remedies.

 

6.7                                 Registration Rights.  (a)  Each Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.

 

(b)                                 Each Grantor agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to this Section 6.7 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of Law. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 6.7 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 6.7 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred.

 

6.8                                 Subordination.  Each Grantor hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, unless otherwise agreed by the Collateral Agent,

 

20



 

all Indebtedness owing by it to any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of such Grantor’s Obligations.

 

6.9                                 Deficiency.  Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

 

6.10                          Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6 or Section 7.1, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall govern the exercise of rights and the enforcement of remedies hereunder by the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 6 and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.

 

SECTION 7.                            The Collateral Agent

 

7.1                                 Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc.  (a)  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement. At any time when an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

 

(i)             in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or contract or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or contract or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

(ii)          in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to evidence the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and general intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(iii)       pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

21



 

(iv)      execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 6.6 or 6.7, any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(v)         (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any Copyright, Patent or Trademark (along with the goodwill of the business to which any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark pertains), throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the Collateral Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; and (8) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.1(a), the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 7.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(b)                                 If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Collateral Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(c)                                  The reasonable expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 7.1, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the highest rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on any category of past due Term Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date of payment by the Collateral Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

 

(d)                                 Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

22



 

7.2                                 Duty of Collateral Agent.  To the full extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar property for its own account (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Collateral Agent shall not be permitted to create a security interest in Collateral in its possession pursuant to Section 9-207(c) of the New York UCC). Neither the Collateral Agent, any Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof, except as provided herein. The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

7.3                                 Financing Statements.  Pursuant to any applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Collateral Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement. Each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent to use the collateral description “all personal property” in any such financing statements. Each Grantor hereby ratifies and authorizes the filing by the Collateral Agent of any financing statement with respect to the Collateral made on or prior to the date hereof.

 

7.4                                 Authority of Collateral Agent.  Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, be governed by the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and/or relevant First Lien Documents, and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among any of them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

7.5                                 Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Each party hereto (and each Secured Party) acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent may act in accordance with, and shall be required to take certain actions as required by, the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Each

 

23



 

party hereto (and each Secured Party) acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent may act in accordance with, and shall be required to take certain actions as required by, the terms of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (and each Secured Party) acknowledges and agrees that any such actions shall be permitted, and further agrees that in the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the relevant provisions of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement shall control. The parties hereto (and each Secured Party) also acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Agent shall have the benefit of the provisions contained in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 8.                            Miscellaneous

 

8.1                                 Amendments in Writing.  None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement and Section 5.02 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement; provided that the Company and the Collateral Agent may amend this Agreement without consent of any Secured Party to add Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties and add provisions related thereto with respect to the exercise of remedies by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

8.2                                 Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Collateral Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 9.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

8.3                                 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 8.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Collateral Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Collateral Agent or such Secured Party would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.

 

8.4                                 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification.  (a)  Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Secured Party and the Collateral Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other First Lien Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel to each Secured Party and of counsel to the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)                                 Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be

 

24



 

payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 9.5 of the Credit Agreement or relevant provisions of any other First Lien Document.

 

(d)                                 The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the First Lien Documents.

 

8.5                                 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.6                                 Set-Off; Limitation on Individual Actions. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Secured Parties provided by law, each Secured Party shall have the right, without notice to any Grantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each Grantor to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any Obligations becoming due and payable by any Grantor (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to apply to the payment of such Obligations, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Secured Party, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of such Grantor. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify in writing the relevant Grantor and the Collateral Agent after any such application made by such Secured Party, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.

 

8.7                                 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by electronic transmission or telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.8                                 Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

25



 

8.9                                 Section Headings.  The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

8.10                          Integration.  This Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the other First Lien Documents represent the entire agreement of the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein, in the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or in the other First Lien Documents.

 

8.11                          GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

8.12                          Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                 submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the other First Lien Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof;

 

(b)                                 consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;

 

(c)                                  agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Grantor at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other address of which the Collateral Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;

 

(d)                                 agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction;

 

(e)                                  waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages;

 

8.13                          Acknowledgements.  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)                                 it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and the other First Lien Documents to which it is a party;

 

26



 

(b)                                 neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or any other First Lien Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c)                                  no joint venture is created hereby, by the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement or the other First Lien Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantors and the Secured Parties.

 

8.14                          Additional Grantors; Release of Guarantors; Releases of Collateral.  (a) Each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to the relevant provision of any First Lien Document shall become a Grantor (and a Guarantor) for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex II hereto.

 

(b)                                 Non-Borrower Guarantors shall be released from this Agreement to the extent provided below, in each case at the request and expense of the Borrower:

 

(i)             A Non-Borrower Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event that (1) the Indebtedness of or Guarantee by such Non-Borrower Guarantor that resulted in the obligation to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.1(a) of the Credit Agreement (or would have resulted in the creation of a Guarantee had such Guarantee not already been in place) is released or discharged (other than a discharge of (A) a Guarantee as a result of payment under such Guarantee or (B) Indebtedness as a result of the acceleration of such Indebtedness due to a default or event of default under the terms thereof); (2) the Capital Stock of such Non-Borrower Guarantor is sold or otherwise disposed of (including by way of consolidation or merger) such that such Non-Borrower Guarantor is no longer a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; and (3) if such Subsidiary was not required to Guarantee the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.1(a) of the Credit Agreement but did so at its option, upon the request by such Non-Borrower Guarantor of release at any time; provided that after giving effect to such release the Borrower would be in compliance with the covenant set forth in this Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(ii)          One or more Non-Borrower Guarantors may be released from their obligations hereunder at any time if (1) consent to release of such Non-Borrower Guarantors has been given by the Required Lenders as provided for in the Credit Agreement, and (2) the Borrower has delivered an Officer’s Certificate to the Collateral Agent certifying as to the consents of the Required Lenders that are necessary for such release and that any such necessary consents have been obtained.

 

(iii)       In connection with any release of any Non-Borrower Guarantor pursuant to this Section 8.14, the Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, all documents that the Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 8.14 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent.

 

27



 

(c)                                  Releases of Collateral shall be effected in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 4.04 of the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Upon the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien in any item of the Collateral or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any item of Collateral of any Grantor not prohibited by the Credit Agreement, the Lien of the Collateral Agent in such Collateral will be automatically released, and such Permitted Prior Lien, sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of such item of Collateral shall be free and clear of the Lien of the Collateral Agent, without requirement for consent or approval from the Lenders or the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent will, at such Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted by this Agreement; provided, however, that, in connection with such request to evidence the release of such item, such Grantor shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a written request for release describing the item of Collateral and, if applicable, the grant of a Permitted Prior Lien or the terms of the sale, lease, transfer or other disposition in reasonable detail and an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that the transaction is in compliance with the Credit Agreement and as to such other matters as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request; provided, further, that to the extent and at such time as any property that would otherwise constitute Collateral hereunder is no longer subject to a Permitted Prior Lien, such property shall be Collateral and shall be subject to the Lien of the Collateral Agent.

 

8.15                          WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE PARI PASSU INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER FIRST LIEN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

28



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Name:

Ernest E. Maddock

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer and

 

 

 

Vice President, Finance

 



 

Accepted and agreed as of the date first written above

 

 

 

by: MICRON SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven L. Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Name:

Steven L. Thorsen, Jr.

 

 

Title:

President

 

 



 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jonathan Rauen

 

 

Name:

Jonathan Rauen

 

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 



 

ANNEX I

 

Name of Guarantor

 

Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc.

 



 

ANNEX II

 

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of                        , 20  , made by                                                            (the “Additional Grantor”), in favor of Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Secured Parties referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement referred to below.

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Micron Technology, Inc. (the “Borrower”), the Lenders and the Collateral Agent have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries (other than the Additional Grantor) have entered into the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined therein);

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor is required or has elected to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.                                      Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 8.14 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Grantor and as a Guarantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and a Guarantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor and a Guarantor thereunder and transfers and assigns to the Collateral Agent, and hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, and a Lien on, its Collateral as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations. The information set forth in Annex II-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.

 

2.                                      GOVERNING LAW. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

ANNEX II-A to
Assumption Agreement

 

Supplement to Schedule 1

 

Supplement to Schedule 2

 

Supplement to Schedule 3

 

Supplement to Schedule 4

 

Supplement to Schedule 5

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

 




Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

SEC Filings