UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 7, 2022
Uniti Group Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland | 001-36708 | 46-5230630 | ||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number)
|
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||
2101 Riverfront Drive, Suite A Little Rock, Arkansas |
72202 | |||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (501) 850-0820
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock | UNIT | The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement
On December 12, 2022, Uniti Group Inc. (the “Company” or “Uniti”), issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”). The Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that is an issuer, obligor or guarantor under the Company’s existing senior notes (except initially those subsidiaries that require regulatory approval prior to guaranteeing the Notes). The Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.50% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2023. The Notes are convertible into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election. The Notes will mature on December 1, 2027, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. In connection with the offering, the Company and the guarantors entered into a purchase agreement dated December 7, 2022 with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several initial purchasers named therein (the “Initial Purchasers”). The Notes were sold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes were approximately $290.3 million, after deducting discounts and commissions to the Initial Purchasers and other estimated fees and expenses. The Company contributed approximately $198.1 million of the net proceeds of the offering to Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“Uniti Fiber Holdings”), to fund the repurchase of, and to pay accrued and unpaid interest with respect to, approximately $207.1 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% exchangeable senior notes due 2024 (the “Existing Notes”) issued by Uniti Fiber Holdings. The Company used $20.7 million of the net proceeds of the offering to pay the cost of certain capped call transactions in connection with the offering (as described below). The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the repurchase or repayment of other outstanding debt, including, but not limited to, additional open market repurchases, redemptions or tender offers of the Existing Notes.
Indenture
The Company issued the Notes pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 12, 2022 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding September 1, 2027, the Notes are convertible only upon satisfaction of one or more of the conditions and during certain periods described in the Indenture, and thereafter, the Notes are convertible at any time until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date. The Notes are convertible on the terms set forth in the Indenture into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election. The conversion rate is initially 137.1742 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $7.29 per share of the Company’s common stock). The conversion rate is subject to adjustment in some circumstances described in the Indenture. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date or the Company’s delivery of a notice of redemption, the Company will increase, in certain circumstances, the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Notes in connection with such a corporate event or elects to convert its Notes called (or deemed called) for redemption in connection with such notice of redemption, as the case may be.
If the Company undergoes a fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), subject to certain conditions, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of their Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the fundamental change repurchase date.
The Company may redeem all or a portion of the Notes, at any time, at a cash redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, if the Company’s board of directors determines such redemption is necessary to preserve the Company’s status as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Company may not otherwise redeem the Notes prior to December 8, 2025. On or after December 8, 2025 and prior to the 42nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock has been at least 130% of the conversion price for the Notes for certain specified periods, the Company may, subject to a certain partial redemption limitation, redeem all or a portion of the Notes at a cash redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and the guarantees are the guarantors’ senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the guarantees, as applicable, and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so expressly subordinated. The Notes and the guarantees are effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness and are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities and obligations (including the debt and trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the Notes.
The Indenture provides for customary events of default, all as described in the Indenture.
The description of the Indenture and the Notes above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Indenture and form of the Notes, copies of which are included as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
On December 12, 2022, the Company and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the Company’s common stock deliverable upon conversion of the Notes (“the Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed that, subject to a certain exception, it will file a shelf registration statement to register the resale of the Company’s common stock deliverable upon conversion of the Notes. Subject to a certain exception, the Company has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such shelf registration statement to become effective on or prior to the 380th day after the issue date of the Notes. During the continuance of certain registration defaults, additional interest will accrue on the Notes at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Notes to, and including, the 90th day following such registration default, and 0.50% of the principal amount of the Notes from, and after, the 91st day following such registration default.
Capped Call Transactions
On December 7, 2022, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions with respect to the Company’s common stock (the “Capped Call Transactions”) with certain financial institutions, including one or more of the Initial Purchasers and/or their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Counterparties”). The Capped Call Transactions cover, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments substantially similar to those applicable to the Notes, the same number of shares of the Company’s common stock that initially underlie the Notes in the aggregate. The Capped Call Transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes, if not earlier terminated or exercised. The Capped Call Transactions are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to the Company’s common stock upon any conversion of the Notes and/or offset any potential cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of the Company’s common stock, as measured under the terms of the Capped Call Transactions, is greater than the strike price of the Capped Call Transactions, which initially corresponds to the conversion price of the Notes and is subject to customary adjustments. If, however, the market price per share of the Company’s common stock, as measured under the terms of the capped call transactions, exceeds the cap price of the capped call transactions, there would nevertheless be dilution and/or there would not be an offset of such potential cash payments, in each case, to the extent that such market price exceeds the cap price of the Capped Call Transactions. The cap price of the Capped Call Transactions will initially be approximately $10.63 per share, which represents a premium of approximately 75% over the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock of $6.075 per share on December 7, 2022, and will be subject to customary adjustments.
The Capped Call Transactions are separate transactions, entered into by the Company with the Counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the Notes. Holders of the Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Call Transactions.
A copy of the form of the confirmation for the Capped Call Transactions is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.1.
Unwind Transactions
In connection with the issuance of the Existing Notes, Uniti Fiber Holdings entered into exchangeable note hedge transactions (the “Existing Exchangeable Note Hedge Transactions”) with certain financial institutions (the “Existing Counterparties”), and the Company entered into warrant transactions (the “Existing Warrant Transactions”) with the Existing Counterparties. On December 7, 2022, in connection with Uniti Fiber Holding’s repurchase of the Existing Notes, Uniti Fiber Holdings and the Company entered into partial unwind agreements (the “Unwind Agreements”) with the Existing Counterparties to, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes, unwind a corresponding portion of the Existing Exchangeable Note Hedge Transactions and the Existing Warrant Transactions (collectively, the “Unwind Transactions”). In connection with the Unwind Transactions and pursuant to the Unwind Agreements, Uniti Fiber Holdings received cash as a termination payment in respect of the portion of the Existing Exchangeable Note Hedge Transactions that were unwound and the Company delivered cash as a termination payment in respect of the portion of the Existing Warrant Transactions that were unwound. The amount of cash that Uniti Fiber Holdings received, which was approximately $1.2 million, and the amount of cash that the Company delivered to the Existing Counterparties, which was approximately $0.5 million, were based generally on the termination values of the unwound portions of such transactions.
Uniti Fiber Holdings and the Company may also unwind the remaining Existing Exchangeable Note Hedge Transactions and Existing Warrant Transactions with respect to the Existing Notes at any time following the completion of the offering in connection with any additional repurchases of the Existing Notes.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information with respect to the Notes and the Indenture set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
The information with respect to the Notes and the Indenture set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company offered and sold the Notes to the Initial Purchasers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and for resale by the initial purchasers to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Company relied on these exemptions from registration based in part on representations made by the Initial Purchasers in the purchase agreement dated December 7, 2022 by and among the Company and the Initial Purchasers.
The Notes and the underlying common stock of the Company deliverable upon conversion of the Notes, if any, have not been registered under the Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
To the extent that any shares of common stock are issued upon conversion of the Notes, they will be issued in transactions anticipated to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of either Section 4(a)(2) or Section 3(a)(9) thereof.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
4.1 | Indenture, dated December 12, 2022, among the Company, the other guarantors party thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas | |
4.2 | Form of 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (included in Exhibit 4.1) | |
10.1 | Form of Capped Call Transaction Confirmation | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
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.
Date: December 12, 2022 | UNITI GROUP INC. | |||
By: | /s/ Daniel L. Heard | |||
Name: | Daniel L. Heard | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President – General Counsel and Secretary | |||
EXHIBIT 4.1
UNITI GROUP INC.,
as Issuer
AND
THE GUARANTORS NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO,
as Guarantors
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of December 12, 2022
7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
___________________________
Page
Article 1 Definitions |
|
Section 1.01 . Definitions | 1 |
Section 1.02 . References to Interest | 15 |
Article 2 Issue, Description, Execution, Registration and Exchange of Notes |
|
Section 2.01 . Designation and Amount | 16 |
Section 2.02 . Form of Notes | 16 |
Section 2.03 . Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts | 17 |
Section 2.04 . Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes | 18 |
Section 2.05 . Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary | 19 |
Section 2.06 . Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes | 25 |
Section 2.07 . Temporary Notes | 26 |
Section 2.08 . Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. | 26 |
Section 2.09 . CUSIP Numbers | 26 |
Section 2.10 . Additional Notes; Purchases | 27 |
Article 3 Satisfaction and Discharge |
|
Section 3.01 . Satisfaction and Discharge | 27 |
Article 4 Particular Covenants of the Company |
|
Section 4.01 . Payment of Principal, Settlement Amounts and Interest | 28 |
Section 4.02 . Maintenance of Office or Agency | 29 |
Section 4.03 . Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office | 29 |
Section 4.04 . Provisions as to Paying Agent | 29 |
Section 4.05 . Additional Guarantors | 30 |
Section 4.06 . Rule 144A Information Requirement; Reporting; and Registration Default Additional Interest | 31 |
Section 4.07 . No Rights as Stockholders. | 32 |
Section 4.08 . Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 32 |
Section 4.09 . Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults |
32 |
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Article 5 [Reserved] |
|
Article 6 Defaults and Remedies |
|
Section 6.01 . Events of Default | 33 |
Section 6.02 . Acceleration | 35 |
Section 6.03 . Additional Interest | 35 |
Section 6.04 . Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor | 36 |
Section 6.05 . Application of Monies Collected by Trustee | 38 |
Section 6.06 . Proceedings by Holders | 38 |
Section 6.07 . Proceedings by Trustee | 39 |
Section 6.08 . Remedies Cumulative and Continuing | 39 |
Section 6.09 . Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders | 40 |
Section 6.10 . Notice of Defaults | 41 |
Section 6.11 . Undertaking to Pay Costs | 41 |
Article 7 Concerning the Trustee |
|
Section 7.01 . Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | 41 |
Section 7.02 . Certain Rights of the Trustee | 43 |
Section 7.03 . No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. | 44 |
Section 7.04 . Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes | 45 |
Section 7.05 . Monies To Be Held in Trust | 45 |
Section 7.06 . Compensation and Expenses of Trustee | 45 |
Section 7.07 . Officer’s Certificate as Evidence | 46 |
Section 7.08 . Eligibility of Trustee | 46 |
Section 7.09 . Resignation or Removal of Trustee | 46 |
Section 7.10 . Acceptance by Successor Trustee | 48 |
Section 7.11 . Succession by Merger, Etc. | 48 |
Section 7.12 . Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company | 49 |
Section 7.13 . Conflicting Interests of Trustee | 49 |
Section 7.14 . Limitation on Trustee’s Liability | 49 |
Article 8 Concerning the Holders |
|
Section 8.01 . Action by Holders | 49 |
Section 8.02 . Proof of Execution by Holders | 50 |
Section 8.03 . Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners | 50 |
Section 8.04 . Company-Owned Notes Disregarded | 50 |
Section 8.05 . Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound | 51 |
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Article 9 [Reserved] |
|
Article 10 Supplemental Indentures |
|
Section 10.01 . Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders | 51 |
Section 10.02 . Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders | 52 |
Section 10.03 . Effect of Amendment, Supplement and Waiver | 54 |
Section 10.04 . Notation on Notes | 54 |
Section 10.05 . Evidence of Compliance of Amendment, Supplement or Waiver To Be Furnished To Trustee | 54 |
Article 11 Consolidation, Merger and Sale |
|
Section 11.01 . The Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms | 54 |
Section 11.02 . [Reserved] | 55 |
Section 11.03 . Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate To Be Given to Trustee | 56 |
Article 12 Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors |
|
Section 12.01 . Indenture, Notes and Guarantees Solely Corporate Obligations | 56 |
Article 13 Guarantee |
|
Section 13.01 . Guarantee | 56 |
Section 13.02 . Execution and Delivery | 47 |
Section 13.03 . Release of Guarantees | 58 |
Section 13.04 . Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 59 |
Section 13.05 . Subrogation | 59 |
Section 13.06 . Benefits Acknowledged | 60 |
Section 13.07 . [Reserved] | 60 |
Section 13.08 . “Trustee” to Include Paying Agent | 60 |
Section 13.09 . Obligation to Seek Regulatory Approval for Additional Guarantees | 60 |
Article 14 Conversion of Notes |
|
60 | |
Section 14.01 . Conversion Privilege | 65 |
Section 14.02 . Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion | 72 |
Section 14.03 . Increase in Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change | 74 |
iii
Section 14.04 . Adjustment of Conversion Rate | 84 |
Section 14.05 . Adjustments of Prices | 85 |
Section 14.06 . Shares To Be Fully Reserved | 85 |
Section 14.07 . Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock | 87 |
Section 14.08 . Certain Covenants | 88 |
Section 14.09 . Responsibility of Trustee | 88 |
Section 14.10 . Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions | 89 |
Section 14.11 . Stockholder Rights Plans | |
Article 15 Repurchase of Notes at Option of Holders |
|
Section 15.01 . Intentionally Omitted | 89 |
Section 15.02 . Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change | 89 |
Section 15.03 . Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice | 93 |
Section 15.04 . Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price | 93 |
Section 15.05 . Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes | 94 |
Article 16 Redemption |
|
Section 16.01 . Right of the Company to Redeem the Notes | 95 |
Section 16.02 . Notice of Redemption | 95 |
Section 16.03 . Payment of Notes Called for Redemption | 97 |
Section 16.04 . Selection, Conversion and Transfer of Notes to be Redeemed in Part | 97 |
Section 16.05 . Restrictions on Redemption | 98 |
Section 16.06 . Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Called for Redemption Surrendered for Conversion in Connection with a Redemption | 98 |
Article 17 Miscellaneous Provisions |
|
Section 17.01 . Provisions Binding on Company’s and the Guarantors’ Successors | 99 |
Section 17.02 . Official Acts by Successor Entity | 99 |
Section 17.03 . Addresses for Notices, Etc. | 99 |
Section 17.04 . Governing Law | 100 |
Section 17.05 . Intentionally Omitted | 100 |
Section 17.06 . Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee | 100 |
Section 17.07 . Legal Holidays | 101 |
Section 17.08 . No Security Interest Created | 101 |
Section 17.09 . Benefits of Indenture | 101 |
Section 17.10 . Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. | 101 |
Section 17.11 . Authenticating Agent | 101 |
Section 17.12 . Execution in Counterparts | 102 |
Section 17.13 . Severability | 102 |
iv
Section 17.14 . Waiver of Jury Trial; Submission of Jurisdiction | 102 |
Section 17.15 . Force Majeure | 103 |
Section 17.16 . Calculations | 103 |
Section 17.17 . U.S.A. Patriot Act | 103 |
Section 17.18 . Tax Withholding | 104 |
Section 17.19 . Electronic Signatures | 104 |
Section 17.20 . Electronic Means | 104 |
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A | Form of Note | A-1 |
Exhibit B | Form of Supplemental Indenture | B-1 |
v
INDENTURE dated as of December 12, 2022 among Uniti Group Inc., a Maryland corporation, as issuer (the “Company”, as more fully set forth in Section 1.01), and the Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”, as more fully set forth in Section 1.01).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the issuance of its 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”), initially in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 (as increased by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of any additional Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the exercise of their option to purchase additional Notes as set forth in the Purchase Agreement), and each of the Guarantors has duly authorized the issuance of its Guarantee, and in order to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company and the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, the Form of Note, the certificate of authentication to be borne by each Note, the Form of Notice of Conversion, the Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice and the Form of Assignment and Transfer to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms hereinafter provided; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent, as provided in this Indenture, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and this Indenture the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, have been done and performed, and the execution of this Indenture and the issuance hereunder of the Notes and the Guarantees have in all respects been duly authorized.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises and of the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof, each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Notes (except as otherwise provided below), as follows:
Article
1
Definitions
Section 1.01. Definitions. The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article include the plural as well as the singular.
“Additional Interest” means all amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03, as applicable.
“Additional Shares” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
“Adequate Cash Conversion Provisions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(e).
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to a Depositary, as to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
“Authorized Denomination” means, with respect to a Note, a minimum principal amount thereof equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
“Authorized Officers” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.20.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
“Bid Solicitation Agent” means the Person appointed by the Company to solicit bids for the Trading Price of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(i). The Company shall initially act as the Bid Solicitation Agent.
“Board of Directors” means, with respect to the Company or any Guarantor, the board of directors of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, or a committee of such board duly authorized to act for it hereunder.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the applicable Board of Directors, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed.
“Called Notes” means Notes called for Redemption pursuant to Article 16 or subject to a Deemed Redemption.
2
“Capital Stock” means, for any entity, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by that entity; provided that debt securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock shall not constitute Capital Stock prior to their conversion or exchange, as the case may be.
“Cash Settlement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 14.02(a).
“Certificated Notes” means permanent certificated Notes in registered form issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
“Clause A Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Clause B Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Clause C Distribution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“close of business” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Combination Settlement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 14.02(a).
“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common Equity” of any Person means Capital Stock of such Person that is generally entitled (a) to vote in the election of directors of such Person or (b) if such Person is not a corporation, to vote or otherwise participate in the selection of the governing body, partners, managers or others that will control the management or policies of such Person.
“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share, subject to Section 14.07.
“Company” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture, and subject to the provisions of Article 11, shall include its successors and assigns.
“Company Order” means a written order of the Company, signed by an Officer of the Company.
“Conversion Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
“Conversion Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(c).
“Conversion Obligation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
3
“Conversion Price” means as of any date, $1,000, divided by the Conversion Rate as of such date.
“Conversion Rate” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(a).
“Corporate Trust Office” means the corporate trust office of the Trustee located at Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 1 Columbus Circle, 17th Floor, Mail Stop: NYC01-1710, New York, NY 10019, Attn: Corporates Team, Uniti Group Inc., Facsimile: (732) 578-4635, or such other office, designated by the Trustee by written notice to the Company, at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered; provided, however, for purposes of Sections 2.05 and 4.02, such address shall be Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, c/o DB Services Americas, Inc., 5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200, Jacksonville, Florida 32256, Attention: Transfer Department.
“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.
“Daily Conversion Value” means, for each of the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, 1/40th of the product of (i) the Conversion Rate on such VWAP Trading Day and (ii) the Daily VWAP for such VWAP Trading Day.
“Daily Measurement Value” shall have the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Settlement Amount.”
“Daily Settlement Amount,” for each of the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, shall consist of:
(a) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Specified Dollar Amount, if any, divided by 40 (such quotient, the “Daily Measurement Value”) and (ii) the Daily Conversion Value for such VWAP Trading Day; and
(b) if the Daily Conversion Value on such VWAP Trading Day exceeds the Daily Measurement Value, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the difference between the Daily Conversion Value and the Daily Measurement Value, divided by (ii) the Daily VWAP for such VWAP Trading Day.
“Daily VWAP” means, for each of the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Days during the relevant Observation Period, the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page “UNIT <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the scheduled open of trading until the scheduled close of trading of the primary trading session on such VWAP Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market value of one share of Common Stock on such VWAP Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by a U.S. nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the Company). The “Daily VWAP” shall be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
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“Deemed Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(v).
“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.
“Defaulted Amounts” means any amounts on any Note (including, without limitation, the Redemption Price, Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, cash conversion consideration due upon conversion, principal and interest) that are payable but are not punctually paid or duly provided for.
“Default Settlement Method” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iii).
“Depositary” means, with respect to each Global Note, the Person specified in Section 2.05(b) as the Depositary with respect to such Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.
“Designated Financial Institution” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(j).
“Distributed Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“effective date” means the first date on which shares of Common Stock trade on the Relevant Stock Exchange, regular way, reflecting the relevant share split or share combination, as applicable.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).
“Event of Default” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.01.
“Ex-Dividend Date” means the first date on which shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive the issuance, dividend or distribution in question, from the Company or, if applicable, from the seller of the Common Stock on such exchange or market (in the form of due bills or otherwise) as determined by such exchange or market.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Existing Exchangeable Notes” means the 4.00% Exchangeable Senior Notes due 2024, issued by Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc., and guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the indenture, dated as of June 28, 2019, as amended and supplemented.
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“Existing Senior Notes” mean, collectively, (a) the 7.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, co-issued by Uniti Group LP, Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc., Uniti Group Finance 2019 Inc. and CSL Capital, LLC, and guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the indenture, dated as of February 10, 2020, as amended and supplemented, (b) the 6.50% Senior Notes due 2029, co-issued by Uniti Group LP, Uniti Group Finance 2019 Inc. and CSL Capital, LLC, and guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the indenture, dated as of February 2, 2021, as amended and supplemented, (c) the 4.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, co-issued by Uniti Group LP, Uniti Group Finance 2019 Inc. and CSL Capital, LLC, and guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the indenture, dated as of April 20, 2021, as amended and supplemented, and (d) the 6.00% Senior Notes due 2030, co-issued by Uniti Group LP, Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc., Uniti Group Finance 2019 Inc. and CSL Capital, LLC, and guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the indenture, dated as of October 13, 2021, as amended and supplemented.
“Expiration Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(e).
“Expiration Time” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(e).
“Form of Assignment and Transfer” shall mean the “Form of Assignment and Transfer” attached as Attachment 3 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall mean the “Form of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” attached as Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Form of Notice of Conversion” shall mean the “Form of Notice of Conversion” attached as Attachment 1 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Fundamental Change” shall be deemed to have occurred at the time after the Notes are originally issued if any of the following occurs:
(a) any person, including any syndicate or group deemed to be a “person” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, other than the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective employee benefit plans, makes a filing under the Exchange Act disclosing that it has become, directly or indirectly, the “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of the Company’s Common Equity representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company’s Common Equity;
(b) the consummation of (A) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination) as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other securities, or other property or assets; (B) any share exchange, consolidation or merger of the Company pursuant to which the Common Stock will be converted into cash, securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof); or (C) any sale, lease or other transfer in one transaction or a series of transactions of all or substantially all of the Company and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated assets, taken as a whole, to any Person other than one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect Subsidiaries; provided, however, that a transaction described in clause (A) or (B) in which the holders of all classes of the Company’s Common Equity immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of all classes of the Common Equity of the continuing or surviving corporation or transferee or the parent thereof immediately after such transaction in substantially the same proportions (vis-a-vis each other) as such ownership immediately prior to such transaction shall not be a Fundamental Change pursuant to this clause (b); or
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(c) the shareholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
provided, however, that a transaction or transactions described in clause (a) or (b) above shall not constitute a Fundamental Change if at least 90% of the consideration received or to be received by the holders of the Common Stock, excluding cash payments for fractional shares and cash payments made pursuant to dissenters’ or appraisal rights, in connection with such transaction or transactions consists of shares of Common Equity or ADSs in respect of Common Equity that are listed or quoted on any of The New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or any of their respective successors) or will be so listed or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with such transaction or transactions, and as a result of such transaction or transactions such consideration becomes the Reference Property for the Notes (subject to the provisions set forth in Section 14.02).
Any event, transaction or series of related transactions that constitute a Fundamental Change under both clause (a) and clause (b) above (determined without regard to the proviso in clause (b) above) shall be deemed to be a Fundamental Change solely under clause (b) above.
If any transaction in which the Common Stock is replaced by Common Equity of another entity occurs, following completion of any related Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period (or, in the case of a transaction that would have been a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change but for the proviso immediately following clause (c) of this definition, following the effective date of such transaction), references to the Company in this definition shall instead be references to such other entity.
“Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(c).
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).
“Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(b)(i).
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“Fundamental Change Repurchase Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 15.02(a).
“Global Note” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).
“Guarantee” means the joint and several guarantees of the Company’s payment obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, issued by the Guarantors pursuant to Article 13 of this Indenture.
“Guarantor” means each of (1) the Company’s Subsidiaries listed on the signature pages to this Indenture and (2) any other Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with Section 4.05 or Section 13.09 of this Indenture, in each case until such time as any such Guarantor shall be released and relieved of its obligations pursuant to Section 13.03 of this Indenture.
“Holder,” as applied to any Note, or other similar terms (but excluding the term “beneficial holder”), shall mean any person in whose name at the time a particular Note is registered on the Note Register. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes.
“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.
“Initial Dividend Threshold” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(d).
“Initial Purchasers” means Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC and TD Securities (USA) LLC.
“Instructions” shall have the meaning specified in Section 17.20.
“Interest Payment Date” means June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2023.
“Issue Date” means December 12, 2022.
“Last Reported Sale Price” per share of Common Stock on any date means:
(a) the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on such date as reported in composite transactions for the Relevant Stock Exchange;
(b) if the Common Stock is not listed for trading on a Relevant Stock Exchange on such date, the last quoted bid price per share for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on such date as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or a similar organization; and
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(c) if the Common Stock is not so quoted, the average of the mid-point of the last bid and ask prices per share for the Common Stock on such date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change” means (x) any transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change, after giving effect to any exceptions to or exclusions from the definition thereof, but without regard to the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof or (y) any Event of Default described in Section 6.01(l).
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change Company Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(b).
“Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(a).
“Market Disruption Event” means:
(a) a failure by the Relevant Stock Exchange to open for trading during its regular trading session; or
(b) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Scheduled Trading Day for the Common Stock for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Relevant Stock Exchange or otherwise) in the Common Stock or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Common Stock.
“Maturity Date” means December 1, 2027.
“Measurement Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.01(b)(i).
“Note” or “Notes” shall have the meaning specified in the first paragraph of the recitals of this Indenture.
“Note Register” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05.
“Note Registrar” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05.
“Notice of Conversion” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(b)(ii)(A).
“Notice of Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
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“Observation Period” with respect to any Note surrendered for conversion means:
(a) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs prior to September 1, 2027, the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the third VWAP Trading Day immediately succeeding such Conversion Date; and
(b) if the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after September 1, 2027, the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Day period beginning on, and including, the 41st Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date.
“Offering Memorandum” means the preliminary offering memorandum, dated December 6, 2022, relating to the offering and sale of the Notes, as supplemented by the related pricing term sheet, dated December 7, 2022.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary of such Person.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company that meets the requirements of Section 17.06.
“open of business” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 17.06. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
“outstanding,” when used with reference to Notes, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:
(a) Notes theretofore canceled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;
(b) Notes, or portions thereof, that have become due and payable and in respect of which monies in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any Paying Agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent);
(c) Notes in lieu of which, or in substitution for which, other Notes shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.06 unless proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that any such Notes are held by protected purchasers in due course;
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(d) Notes surrendered for purchase in accordance with Article 15 for which the Paying Agent holds money sufficient to pay the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, in accordance with Section 15.04(b);
(e) Notes converted pursuant to Article 14 and required to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.08; and
(f) Notes redeemed by the Company pursuant to Article 16.
“Ownership Limitations” means the restrictions on ownership and transfer of the Company’s stock contained in the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company, as amended.
“Partial Redemption Limitation” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(d).
“Paying Agent” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.02.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Physical Settlement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 14.02(a).
“Predecessor Note” of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.06 in lieu of or in exchange for a mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen Note that it replaces.
“Purchase Agreement” means that certain Purchase Agreement, dated December 7, 2022, among the Company, the Guarantors initially party to this Indenture and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several Initial Purchasers.
“Record Date” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Company’s Board of Directors, statute, contract or otherwise).
“Redemption” means the redemption of any Note by the Company pursuant to Article 16.
“Redemption Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.02(a).
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“Redemption Notice Date” means, with respect to a Redemption, the date on which the Company sends the Notice of Redemption to the applicable Holders for such Redemption pursuant to Section 16.02(a).
“Redemption Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.06(a).
“Redemption Price” means, for any Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 16.01, 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the Redemption Date (unless the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, in which case the interest accrued to, but not including, such Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Holder as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date (assuming, solely for these purposes, that such Note remained outstanding through such Interest Payment Date, if such Redemption Date is before such Interest Payment Date) and the Redemption Price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed). For the avoidance of doubt, if an Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day and such Redemption Date occurs on the Business Day immediately after such Interest Payment Date, then (x) accrued and unpaid interest on Notes to, but not including, such Interest Payment Date will be paid, in accordance with Section 17.07, on the next Business Day to Holders at the close of business on the immediately preceding Regular Record Date, and (y) the Redemption Price will include interest on Notes to be redeemed from, and including, such Interest Payment Date to, but not including, such Redemption Date.
“Redemption Reference Price” means, for any conversion of Notes in connection with a Notice of Redemption, the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of the Common Stock over the five Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Notice Date.
“Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Registration Default” shall have the meaning specified in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Registration Default Additional Interest” means the “Additional Interest” payable pursuant to Section 7 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2022, among the Company and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as the representatives of the Initial Purchasers, as amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Regular Record Date,” with respect to any Interest Payment Date, shall mean the May 15 or November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.
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“Regulated Subsidiaries” and “Regulated Subsidiary” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.09.
“REIT” means a real estate investment trust qualified and taxed under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
“Relevant Stock Exchange” means The Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if the Common Stock (or other security for which a Last Reported Sale Price or the Daily VWAP, as the case may be, must be determined) is not then listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the principal other U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then listed.
“Resale Restriction Termination Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(c).
“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Division – Corporate Finance Unit (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or to whom any corporate trust matter relating to this Indenture is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject, and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“Restricted Securities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A as promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Sale Price Redemption” shall have the meaning specified in Section 16.01(b).
“Scheduled Trading Day” means a day that is scheduled to be a Trading Day on the Relevant Stock Exchange. If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading on a Relevant Stock Exchange, “Scheduled Trading Day” means a “Business Day.”
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Separation Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.11.
“Settlement Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(iv).
“Settlement Method” means, with respect to any conversion of Notes, Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement, as elected (or deemed to have been elected) by the Company.
“Settlement Method Election Deadline” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.02(a)(ii).
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“Significant Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” as defined under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act.
“Specified Corporate Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Specified Dollar Amount” means, with respect to any conversion of Notes, the maximum cash amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes to be received upon conversion as specified by the Company (or deemed specified) in the notice specifying the Company’s chosen Settlement Method.
“Spin-Off” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Stock Price” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.03(c).
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar 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) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; and
(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interest or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, in each case, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
“Successor Company” shall have the meaning specified in Section 11.01(a)(i).
“Trading Day” means a day on which:
(a) trading in the Common Stock (or other security for which a Last Reported Sale Price must be determined) generally occurs on the Relevant Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not then listed on a Relevant Stock Exchange, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock (or such other security) is then traded; and
(b) a Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock (or Last Reported Sale Price for such other security) is available on the Relevant Stock Exchange or such other market;
provided, that, if the Common Stock (or such other security) is not so listed or traded, “Trading Day” means a “Business Day.”
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“Trading Price” per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained in writing by the Bid Solicitation Agent for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes at approximately 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on such determination date from three independent U.S. nationally recognized securities dealers the Company selects for this purpose; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent but two such bids are obtained, then the average of such two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Bid Solicitation Agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Bid Solicitation Agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for $5,000,000 principal amount of Notes from an independent U.S. nationally recognized securities dealer, then the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of the Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on such day.
“transfer” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).
“Trigger Event” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as it was in force at the date of execution of this Indenture.
“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder.
“Unit of Reference Property” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.07(a).
“Valuation Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14.04(c).
“VWAP Trading Day” means a day on which:
(a) there is no Market Disruption Event; and
(b) trading in the Common Stock generally occurs on the Relevant Stock Exchange.
If the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted for trading on any Relevant Stock Exchange, “VWAP Trading Day” means a “Business Day.”
Section 1.02. References to Interest. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note in this Indenture shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03. Unless the context otherwise requires, any express mention of Additional Interest in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.
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Article
2
Issue, Description, Execution, Registration and Exchange of Notes
Section 2.01. Designation and Amount. The Notes shall be designated as the “7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027.” The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is initially limited to $300,000,000 (as increased by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of any additional Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the exercise of their option to purchase additional Notes as set forth in the Purchase Agreement), subject to Section 2.10 and except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Notes pursuant to Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04, Section 14.02 and Section 15.04.
Section 2.02. Form of Notes. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication to be borne by such Notes shall be substantially in the respective forms set forth in Exhibit A, the terms and provisions of which shall constitute, and are hereby expressly incorporated in and made a part of this Indenture. To the extent applicable, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.
Any Global Note may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture as may be required by the Custodian or the Depositary, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or any regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Notes may be listed or traded or designated for issuance or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Any of the Notes may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements as any Officer executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, or to conform to usage or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Notes are subject.
Each Global Note shall represent such principal amount of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect repurchases, redemptions, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted hereby. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in such manner and upon instructions given by the Holder of such Notes in accordance with this Indenture. Payment of principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, a Global Note shall be made to the Holder of such Note on the date of payment, unless a record date or other means of determining Holders eligible to receive payment is provided for herein.
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Section 2.03. Date and Denomination of Notes; Payments of Interest and Defaulted Amounts(a). (a) The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and shall bear interest from the date specified on the face of the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto. Accrued interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for a partial month, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month.
(b) The Person in whose name any Note (or its Predecessor Note) is registered on the Note Register at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the relevant Interest Payment Date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. Interest shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purposes, which shall initially be the Corporate Trust Office. The Company shall pay interest:
(i) on any Certificated Notes (A) to Holders holding Certificated Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or less, by check mailed to the Holders of these Notes at their address as it appears in the Note Register and (B) to Holders holding Certificated Notes having an aggregate principal amount of more than $1,000,000, either by check mailed to such Holders or, upon application by such a Holder to the Note Registrar not later than the relevant Regular Record Date, by wire transfer in immediately available funds to that Holder’s account within the United States, which application shall remain in effect until the Holder notifies the Note Registrar to the contrary in writing; and
(ii) on any Global Note by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee.
(c) Any Defaulted Amounts shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant payment date but shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes from, and including, such relevant payment date, and such Defaulted Amounts together with such interest thereon shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (i) or (ii) below:
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(i) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Amounts to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of the Defaulted Amounts proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment (which shall be not less than 25 days after the receipt by the Trustee of such notice, unless the Trustee shall consent to an earlier date), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Amounts or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or 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 Amounts as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Company shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Amounts which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment, and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date and the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor to be sent to each Holder at its address as it appears in the Note Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Amounts and the special record date therefor having been sent, such Defaulted Amounts shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective Predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such special record date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (ii) of this Section 2.03(c).
(ii) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Amounts in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or designated for issuance, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system and the Depositary, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed satisfactory to the Trustee.
Section 2.04. Execution, Authentication and Delivery of Notes. The Notes shall be signed in the name and on behalf of the Company by the manual or facsimile signature of at least one of its Officers.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Notes, without any further action by the Company hereunder.
Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth on the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto, executed manually or electronically by an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee as provided by Section 17.11), shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee (or such an authenticating agent) upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
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In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Notes shall cease to be such Officer before the Notes so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Notes had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Note may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall be an Officer of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such an Officer.
Section 2.05. Exchange and Registration of Transfer of Notes; Restrictions on Transfer; Depositary. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.02, the “Note Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations or procedures as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Notes and transfers of Notes. Such register shall be in written form or in any form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable period of time. The Trustee is hereby initially appointed the “Note Registrar” for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided. The Company may appoint one or more co-Note Registrars in accordance with Section 4.02.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note to the Note Registrar or any co-registrar, and satisfaction of the requirements for such transfer set forth in this Section 2.05, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.
Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any Authorized Denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive, bearing registration numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
All Notes presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, repurchase or conversion shall (if so required by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be imposed by the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar for any registration of transfer of Notes or exchange of Notes for other Notes, but the Company or the Trustee may require a Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge required by law or permitted pursuant to Section 14.02(d) or Section 14.02(e).
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None of the Company, the Trustee, the Note Registrar or any co-Note Registrar shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of (i) any Notes surrendered for conversion or, if a portion of any Note is surrendered for conversion, such portion thereof surrendered for conversion, (ii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in accordance with Article 15 or (iii) any Notes, or a portion of any Note, surrendered for redemption in accordance with Article 16.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with this Indenture shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(a) So long as the Notes are eligible for book-entry settlement with the Depositary, unless otherwise required by law, subject to the fourth paragraph from the end of Section 2.05(b) all Notes shall be represented by one or more Notes in global form (each, a “Global Note”) registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in a Global Note that does not involve the issuance of a Certificated Note, shall be effected through the Depositary (but not the Trustee or the Custodian) in accordance with this Indenture (including the restrictions on transfer set forth herein) and the Applicable Procedures.
(b) Every Note that bears or is required under this Section 2.05(b) to bear the legend set forth in this Section 2.05(b) (together with any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes and required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(c), collectively, the “Restricted Securities”) shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 2.05(b) (including the legend set forth below), unless such restrictions on transfer shall be eliminated or otherwise waived by written consent of the Company, and the Holder of each such Restricted Security, by such Holder’s acceptance thereof, agrees to be bound by all such restrictions on transfer. As used in this Section 2.05(b) and Section 2.05(c), the term “transfer” encompasses any sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition whatsoever of any Restricted Security.
Any certificate evidencing such Note (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof, other than shares of Common Stock, if any, issued upon conversion thereof, which shall bear the legend set forth in Section 2.05(c), if applicable) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with written notice thereof to the Trustee):
THIS SECURITY AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
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(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT AND THAT IT AND ANY SUCH ACCOUNT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF UNITI GROUP INC., AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNITI GROUP INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY, OR
(C) FOLLOWING THE COMPANY’S ELECTIVE REMOVAL OF THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND, PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY AND NO PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR OWN THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.
No transfer of any Note will be registered by the Note Registrar unless the applicable box on the Form of Assignment and Transfer has been checked.
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the provisions set forth in this Section 2.05(b)), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole or in part except (i) 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 and (ii) for transfers of portions of a Global Note in certificated form made upon request of a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary (for itself or on behalf of a beneficial owner) by written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Depositary in accordance with Applicable Procedures and in compliance with this Section 2.05(b).
The Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as the “Depositary” with respect to each Global Note. Initially, each Global Note shall be issued to the Depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the nominee of the Depositary, and deposited with the Trustee as custodian for Cede & Co.
If:
(x) the Depositary (i) notifies the Company at any time that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (ii) ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or
(y) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and a beneficial owner of any Note requests through the Depositary that its beneficial interest therein be issued in a Certificated Note,
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate, an Opinion of Counsel and a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Notes, shall authenticate and deliver Certificated Notes to each beneficial owner of the related Global Notes (or a portion thereof) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Global Notes in exchange for such Global Notes, and upon delivery of the Global Notes to the Trustee such Global Notes shall be canceled.
Certificated Notes issued in exchange for all or a part of the Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. Upon execution and authentication, the Trustee shall deliver such Certificated Notes to the Persons in whose names such Certificated Notes are so registered.
At such time as all interests in a Global Note have been converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred, such Global Note shall be, upon receipt thereof, canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Applicable Procedures and existing instructions between the Depositary and the Custodian. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Certificated Notes, converted, canceled, repurchased, redeemed or transferred to a transferee who receives Certificated Notes therefor or any Certificated Note is exchanged or transferred for part of such Global Note, the principal amount of such Global Note shall, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and instructions existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, be appropriately reduced or increased, as the case may be, and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction or increase.
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None of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Note or maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. None of the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for any act or omission of the Depositary.
(c) Until the date (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) that is the later of (1) the date that is one year after the delivery date of the relevant shares of Common Stock, or such other period of time as permitted by Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any successor provision thereto, and (2) such later date, if any, as may be required by applicable law, any stock certificate representing shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of a Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (unless such shares of Common Stock have been transferred pursuant to a registration statement that has become or been declared effective under the Securities Act and that continues to be effective at the time of such transfer or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing, with written notice thereof to the Trustee and any transfer agent for the Common Stock):
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT AND THAT IT AND ANY SUCH ACCOUNT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF UNITI GROUP INC., AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNITI GROUP INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THE LATER OF (X) ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH CONVERSION OCCURS OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AS PERMITTED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION THERETO AND (Y) SUCH LATER DATE, IF ANY, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, OR
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(B) PURSUANT TO, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT OF THE COMPANY THAT COVERS THE RESALE OF THIS SECURITY, OR
(C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY, OR
(D) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(D) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMMON STOCK RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY AND NO PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR OWN THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.
(d) Any such shares of Common Stock as to which such restrictions on transfer shall have expired in accordance with their terms may, upon surrender of the certificates representing such shares of Common Stock for exchange in accordance with the procedures of the transfer agent for the Common Stock, be exchanged for a new certificate or certificates for a like aggregate number of shares of Common Stock, which shall not bear the restrictive legend required by Section 2.05(c).
(e) Any shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of a Note that is purchased or owned by an Affiliate of the Company (or any Person who was an Affiliate of the Company at any time during the three months preceding) may not be resold by such Affiliate unless registered under the Securities Act or resold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in a transaction that results in such shares of Common Stock no longer being a “restricted security” (as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act). The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among members of, or participants in, the Depositary or beneficial owners of interests 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, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
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(f) Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
Section 2.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. In case any Note shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon its written request the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a registration number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such substitution, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to such authenticating agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
The Trustee or such authenticating agent may authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon the receipt of such security or indemnity as the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, such authenticating agent may require. Upon the issuance of any substitute Note, the Company or the Trustee may require the payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note that has matured or is about to mature, is subject to Redemption, or has been surrendered for repurchase or is about to be converted in accordance with Article 14 shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, in its sole discretion, instead of issuing a substitute Note, pay or authorize the payment of or convert or authorize the conversion of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note), as the case may be, if the applicant for such payment or conversion shall furnish to the Company, to the Trustee and, if applicable, to any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless from any loss, liability, cost or expense caused by or connected with such payment or conversion, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, any Paying Agent or Conversion Agent evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.
Every substitute Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.06 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. To the extent permitted by law, all Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement, payment, Redemption, conversion or repurchase of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement, Redemption, payment or conversion of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
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Section 2.07. Temporary Notes. Pending the preparation of Certificated Notes, the Company may execute and the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by the Trustee shall, upon written request of the Company, authenticate and deliver temporary Notes (printed or lithographed). Temporary Notes shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the Certificated Notes but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Notes, all as may be determined by the Company. Every such temporary Note shall be executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee or such authenticating agent upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect, as the Certificated Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Trustee or such authenticating agent Certificated Notes (other than any Global Note) and thereupon any or all temporary Notes (other than any Global Note) may be surrendered in exchange therefor, at each office or agency maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 4.02 and the Trustee or such authenticating agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Notes an equal aggregate principal amount of Certificated Notes. Such exchange shall be made by the Company at its own expense and without any charge therefor. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits and subject to the same limitations under this Indenture as Certificated Notes authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.08. Cancellation of Notes Paid, Converted, Etc. The Company shall cause all Notes surrendered for the purpose of payment at maturity, Redemption pursuant to Article 16, repurchase upon a Fundamental Change pursuant to Article 15, registration of transfer or exchange, or conversion (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(j)), if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee (including any of the Company’s agents or Subsidiaries), to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and such Notes shall no longer be considered outstanding for purposes of this Indenture upon their payment at maturity, Redemption, repurchase upon a Fundamental Change, registration of transfer or exchange, or conversion (subject to the provisions of Section 14.02(j)). All Notes delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall be cancelled promptly by it. No Notes shall be authenticated in exchange for any Notes cancelled, except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a purchase or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.09. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee may use “CUSIP” numbers in notices issued to Holders as a convenience to such 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 on such notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
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Section 2.10. Additional Notes; Purchases. (a) The Company may, from time to time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Holders, issue additional Notes under this Indenture with the same terms and with the same CUSIP number as the Notes issued on the Issue Date (other than differences in the issue date, the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such additional Notes and, if applicable, the initial Interest Payment Date and restrictions on transfer in respect of such additional Notes) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount; provided that if any such additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes issued on the Issue Date for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such additional Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number or no CUSIP number. Such Notes issued on the Issue Date and the additional Notes shall rank equally and ratably and shall be treated as a single series for all purposes under this Indenture. Prior to the issuance of any such additional Notes, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Company Order, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to cover such matters, in addition to those required by Section 17.06, as the Trustee shall reasonably request.
(b) The Company may, to the extent permitted by law and without the consent of Holders, directly or indirectly (regardless of whether such Notes are surrendered to the Company), repurchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, whether by the Company or its Subsidiaries or through a private or public tender or exchange offer or through counterparties to private agreements, including by cash-settled swaps or other derivatives. The Company may, at its option and to the extent permitted by applicable law, reissue, resell or surrender to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes that it may so repurchase; provided that if any such Notes are not fungible with the Notes initially issued hereunder for U.S. federal income tax law purposes, such reissued or resold Notes shall have a separate CUSIP number or no CUSIP number. Any Notes that the Company may repurchase (other than in connection with a Fundamental Change or upon Redemption) shall be considered outstanding for all purposes under this Indenture (other than, at any time when such Notes are held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture) unless and until such time the Company surrenders them to the Trustee for cancellation and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee shall cancel all Notes so surrendered.
Article
3
Satisfaction and Discharge
Section 3.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture and the Notes shall upon request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in the last paragraph of this Section 3.01), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when:
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(i) either:
(A) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (x) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.06 and (y) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 4.04(d)) have been delivered to the Note Registrar for cancellation; or
(B) the Company or any Guarantor has deposited with the Trustee or delivered to Holders, as applicable, after all of the outstanding Notes have (i) become due and payable, whether at the Maturity Date, upon Redemption or at any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, and/or (ii) have been converted (and the related Settlement Amounts have been determined), cash or cash and/or shares of Common Stock (solely to satisfy the Company’s Conversion Obligation), as applicable, sufficient to pay all of the outstanding Notes and/or satisfy all conversions, as the case may be, and pay all other sums due and payable under this Indenture by the Company and the Guarantors; and
(ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Trustee under Section 7.06 and, if cash or shares of Common Stock shall have been deposited with the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 3.01(i)(B), Section 4.04 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Article
4
Particular Covenants of the Company
Section 4.01. Payment of Principal, Settlement Amounts and Interest. The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion of, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, Settlement Amounts and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Guarantor, holds as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the due date money deposited by the Company or a Guarantor in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, Settlement Amounts and interest then due. Unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee, the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) and overdue Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, at the rate equal to the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.
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Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for payment, Redemption or repurchase (“Paying Agent”) or for conversion (“Conversion Agent”) 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. The Company shall, at all times, maintain an office or agency in the continental United States to serve as the Company’s Paying Agent and Conversion Agent for the Notes. 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 or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. Further, if at any time there shall be no such office or agency in the continental United States where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, the Company shall forthwith designate and maintain such an office or agency in the continental United States, in order that the Notes shall at all times be payable in the continental United States. 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. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Conversion Agent” include any such additional or other offices or agencies, as applicable.
The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent, Note Registrar, Custodian and Conversion Agent and designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company.
Section 4.03. Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee’s Office. The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.09, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
Section 4.04. Provisions as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, the Company will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04:
(i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes;
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(ii) that it will give the Trustee prompt notice of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall be due and payable; and
(iii) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes a sum sufficient to pay such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), cash portion of the Settlement Amounts and accrued and unpaid interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company to make any payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, or accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes when the same shall become due and payable.
(c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay, cause to be paid or deliver to the Trustee all sums or amounts held in trust by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 4.04, such sums or amounts to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment or delivery by the Company or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Company or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability but only with respect to such sums or amounts.
(d) Subject to applicable escheat laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, and accrued and unpaid interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), the Settlement Amounts owed on conversion to the extent they include cash, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on request of the Company contained in an Officer’s Certificate, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company and the Guarantors for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Section 4.05. Additional Guarantors. Subject to Section 13.09, if, after the Issue Date, any of the Company’s Subsidiaries (other than any Guarantor) becomes an issuer, an obligor or a guarantor with respect to (a) the Existing Senior Notes and/or the Existing Exchangeable Notes or (b) any debt securities of the Company or any Guarantor issued in an offering registered with the Commission or pursuant to Rule 144A, then the Company shall cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor by causing such Subsidiary to execute a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto and to deliver it to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it becomes an issuer, an obligor or a guarantor under the Existing Senior Notes and/or the Existing Exchangeable Notes or such debt securities. The Company shall cause any such Subsidiary to provide such information to the Trustee as is reasonably requested by the Trustee in order to complete the Trustee’s know-your-customer review process to its reasonable satisfaction.
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Section 4.06. Rule 144A Information Requirement; Reporting; and Registration Default Additional Interest(a). (a) For as long as any Notes are outstanding hereunder, at any time the Company is not subject to Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall, so long as any of the Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes shall, at such time, constitute “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, promptly provide to the Trustee and shall, upon written request, provide to any Holder, beneficial owner or prospective purchaser of such Notes or any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Notes, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act to facilitate the resale of such Notes or such shares of Common Stock, as the case may be, pursuant to Rule 144A (as such rule may be amended from time to time).
(b) The Company shall provide to the Trustee within 15 days after the same are required to be filed with the Commission (after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule under the Exchange Act), copies of any documents or reports that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any such information, documents or reports, or portions thereof, subject to confidential treatment and any correspondence with the Commission). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall in no event be required to file with, or otherwise provide or disclose to, the Trustee or any Holder any information for which the Company is requesting (assuming such request has not been denied), or has received, confidential treatment from the Commission. Any such document or report that the Company files with the Commission via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) shall be deemed to be provided to the Trustee for purposes of this Section 4.06(b) as of the time such documents are filed via the EDGAR system (or such successor).
(c) Delivery of the reports, information and documents described in Section 4.06(a) and (b) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s and/or the Guarantors’ compliance with any of the Company’s and/or the Guarantors’ covenants under this Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on an Officer’s Certificate). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s and/or the Guarantors’ compliance with such covenants or to determine whether any reports or other documents have been filed with the Commission or via the Commission’s EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) or posted on any website, or to participate in any conference calls.
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(d) Subject to Section 4.06(f) and Section 6.03(b), if a Registration Default occurs under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall pay the Registration Default Additional Interest in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.
(e) [Reserved]
(f) Registration Default Additional Interest will be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date following accrual in the same manner as regular interest on the Notes and shall be in addition to any Additional Interest that may accrue, at the Company’s election, as the sole remedy relating to the failure to comply with the Company’s obligations under Section 4.06(b). In no event, however, will Additional Interest accrue on any day (taking into consideration any Additional Interest payable as described in Section 4.06(d) or Section 6.03(a)) at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum, regardless of the number of events or circumstances giving rise to the requirement to pay such Additional Interest.
(g) If Additional Interest is payable by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06(d) or Section 6.03(a), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to that effect stating (i) the amount of such Additional Interest that is payable and (ii) the date on which such Additional Interest is payable. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives at the Corporate Trust Office such a certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no such Additional Interest is payable.
Section 4.07. No Rights as Stockholders. Holders of Notes, as such, will not have any rights as stockholders of the Company (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on Common Stock).
Section 4.08. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it 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 (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.09. Compliance Certificate; Statements as to Defaults.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with the year ended December 31, 2023), an Officer’s Certificate stating whether the signers thereof have knowledge of any Default that occurred during the previous year and is then continuing and, if so, specifying each such failure and the nature thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate within 30 days after an Officer of the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any event that would constitute a Default or Event of Default, specifying each such event, the status thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
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Article
5
[Reserved]
Article
6
Defaults and Remedies
Section 6.01. Events of Default. The following events shall be “Events of Default” with respect to the Notes:
(a) default in any payment of interest on any Note when due and payable, and the default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) default in the payment of principal of any Note when due and payable on the Maturity Date, upon any required repurchase, upon a Redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(c) failure by the Company to comply with its obligation to convert the Notes in accordance with this Indenture upon exercise of a Holder’s conversion right and such failure continues for three Business Days;
(d) failure by the Company to issue a Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 15.02(c) or notice of a specified corporate transaction in accordance with Section 14.01(b)(ii) or (iii) or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change Company Notice in accordance with Section 14.03(b), in each case when due, and such failure continues for three Business Days;
(e) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article 11;
(f) failure by the Company or any Guarantor for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding has been received by the Company and the Trustee to comply with any of the other agreements of the Company or any Guarantor contained in the Notes or this Indenture;
(g) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of the Guarantors or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of the Guarantors, other than indebtedness owed to the Company or a Guarantor, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Issue Date, if both:
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(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 relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such indebtedness causing such indebtedness 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 in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $75.0 million or more;
(h) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v) fails generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(i) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in a proceeding in which the Company or such Significant Subsidiary is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or other similar official of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or such Significant Subsidiary; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(j) failure by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (to the extent such judgments are not paid or covered by insurance) aggregating in excess of $75.0 million, which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is not covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;
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(k) the Guarantee by any of the Guarantors is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee; or
(l) the Common Stock (or other Common Equity for which the Notes are then convertible) ceases to be listed or admitted or approved for trading on any of The Nasdaq Global Select Market, The Nasdaq Global Market or The New York Stock Exchange (or any of their respective successors), other than in connection, and substantially contemporaneously, with a Fundamental Change described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of such definition.
Section 6.02. Acceleration. In case one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body), then, and in each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company), either the Trustee by notice in writing to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee, may declare 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, 100% of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes shall become and shall automatically be immediately due and payable.
Section 6.03. Additional Interest.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary, to the extent the Company elects, the sole remedy for an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) shall, after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, consist exclusively of the right to receive Additional Interest on the Notes (subject to Section 4.06(f) and Section 6.03(b)) at a rate equal to:
(i) 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the period beginning on, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurred and ending on the earlier of (x) the date on which such Event of Default is cured or validly waived and (y) the 180th day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurred; and
(ii) if such Event of Default has not been cured or validly waived prior to the 181st day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurred, 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding for each day during the period beginning on, and including, the 181st day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurred and ending on the earlier of (x) the date on which such Event of Default is cured or validly waived and (y) the 360th day immediately following, and including, the date on which such Event of Default first occurred.
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(b) Any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 6.03(a) above shall be in addition to any Registration Default Additional Interest that may accrue pursuant to Section 4.06(d). Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, in no event, however, shall Additional Interest accrue on any day (taking into consideration any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 6.03(a) above, together with Registration Default Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 4.06(d)) at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum, regardless of the number of events or circumstances giving rise to the requirement to pay such Additional Interest.
(c) If the Company elects to pay Additional Interest pursuant to Section 6.03(a), such Additional Interest shall be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Notes and will accrue on all Notes then outstanding from, and including, the date on which the Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) first occurs to, but not including, the 361st day thereafter (or such earlier date on which such Event of Default is cured or waived by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding). On the 361st day after such Event of Default (if such Event of Default is not cured or waived prior to such 361st day), such Additional Interest will cease to accrue and the Notes will be subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. In the event the Company does not elect to pay Additional Interest following an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b) in accordance with this Section 6.03, or the Company has elected to make such payment but does not pay the Additional Interest when due, the Notes shall immediately be subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 6.03 shall not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default.
(d) In order to elect to pay Additional Interest as the sole remedy during the first 360 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations as set forth in Section 4.06(b), the Company must notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of such election on or before the close of business on the date on which such Event of Default first occurs. Upon the Company’s failure to timely give such notice or pay Additional Interest, the Notes shall be immediately subject to acceleration as provided in Section 6.02.
Section 6.04. Payments of Notes on Default; Suit Therefor. If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b) or (c) of Section 6.01 shall have occurred and the Notes have become due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02, the Company shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal (including the Redemption Price or the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable), satisfaction of the Conversion Obligation with respect to all Notes that have been converted, and interest, if any, with (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) interest on any such overdue amounts, at the rate borne by the Notes, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06. If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.
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In the event there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Company under Bankruptcy Law, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Company, or the property of the Company, or in the event of any other judicial proceedings relative to the Company, or to the creditors or property of the Company, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.04, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in respect of the Notes, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such other actions as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of any amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, custodian or similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements, including agents and counsel fees, and including any other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.06, incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses, advances and disbursements out of the estate in any such proceedings 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, monies, securities and other property that the Holders of the Notes may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, 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 such Holder or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Notes, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.
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In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and in any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Notes, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Notes parties to any such proceedings.
In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of any waiver, rescission or annulment pursuant to Section 6.09 or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company, the Guarantors, the Holders, and the Trustee shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company, the Holders, and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 6.05. Application of Monies Collected by Trustee. Any monies collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 with respect to the Notes shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such monies, upon presentation of the several Notes, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid:
FIRST: to the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06;
SECOND: to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of, the Redemption Price (if applicable) and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price (if applicable) of, and/or satisfaction of the Conversion Obligation with respect to all Notes that have been converted, and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes; and
THIRD: to the Company.
Section 6.06. Proceedings by Holders. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal (including, if applicable, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) or interest when due, or the right to receive payment and/or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion of any Note, no Holder of any Note shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator, custodian or other similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
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(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee in writing to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of such security or indemnity; and
(e) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
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 any such use prejudices the rights of another Holder or obtains a preference or priority over another Holder.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture and any provision of any Note, the right of any Holder to receive payment or delivery, as the case may be, of (x) the principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, (y) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and (z) the consideration due upon conversion of, such Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note or in this Indenture, or to institute suit against the Company for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery, as the case may be, on or after such respective dates shall not be amended without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.07. Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as are necessary to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.06, all powers and remedies given by this Article 6 to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any of the Notes to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default or Event of Default shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or Event of Default or any acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.06, every power and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.
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Section 6.09. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Holders.
(a) The Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes or the Guarantees; provided, however, that (i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with any rule of law or with this Indenture, it determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
(b) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default hereunder and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences hereunder except:
(i) a default in the payment of the principal (including any Redemption Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes;
(ii) a failure by the Company to deliver the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes; or
(iii) with respect to a Default or Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article 10 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each affected Holder;
provided that, in the case of the rescission of any acceleration with respect to the Notes, (1) the 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 and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration) have been cured or waived and all amounts owing to the Trustee have been paid.
Whenever any Default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 6.09, said Default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Notes and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
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Section 6.10. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee (as provided in Section 7.02(j)), the Trustee shall send to all Holders as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the Note Register notice of such Default within 90 days after it occurs or, if it is not actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at such time, promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days) after it becomes actually known to a Responsible Officer. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note or a Default in the payment or delivery of the consideration due upon conversion, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders.
Section 6.11. Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may, in its discretion, require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; provided that the provisions of this Section 6.11 (to the extent permitted by law) shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (including, but not limited to, the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to the Notes being redeemed or repurchased as provided in this Indenture) or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on any Note on or after the due date expressed or provided for in such Note or to any suit for the enforcement of the payment or delivery of consideration due upon conversion.
Article
7
Concerning the Trustee
Section 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred:
(i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any such certificates and opinions, including mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
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(b) In the event 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 their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding determined as provided in Section 8.04 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its 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 adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(d) Whether or not therein provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of, or affording protection to, the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.
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Section 7.02. Certain Rights of the Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;
(c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and require an Opinion of Counsel and any advice of such counsel or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(d) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or 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, at a reasonable time on any Business Day, to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;
(e) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through duly authorized agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent, custodian, nominee or attorney appointed by it with due care hereunder;
(f) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;
(g) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;
(h) the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of Officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture;
(i) in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;
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(j) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, unless either (1) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company or by any Holder of the Notes at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee;
(k) the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any payment (as to the correctness of amount, entitlement to receive or any other matters relating to payment) or notice effected by the Company or any Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) or any records maintained by any co-Note Registrar with respect to the Notes;
(l) if any party fails to deliver a notice relating to an event the fact of which, pursuant to this Indenture, requires notice to be sent to the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely on its failure to receive such notice as reason to act as if no such event occurred, unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee had actual knowledge of such event;
(m) in the absence of written investment direction from the Company, all cash received by the Trustee shall be placed in a non-interest bearing trust account, and in no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses, fees, taxes or other charges incurred thereon or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investments prior to its maturity date or the failure of the party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction, and the Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction from the Company;
(n) the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article 7 shall also be afforded to the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(o) subject to this Article 7, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability and expense which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(p) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; and
(q) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes.
Section 7.03. No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc. The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
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Section 7.04. Trustee, Paying Agents, Conversion Agents or Note Registrar May Own Notes. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent, the Custodian or Note Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent, Custodian or Note Registrar.
Section 7.05. Monies To Be Held in Trust. All monies received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law or as expressly provided herein. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as may be agreed from time to time by the Company and the Trustee.
Section 7.06. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee. The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) as mutually agreed to in writing between the Trustee and the Company, and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances reasonably incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture in any capacity hereunder (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall have been caused by the Trustee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, covenant to indemnify, defend and protect the Trustee (which for purposes of this Section 7.06 shall include its officers, directors, employees and agents) in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith and its agents and any authenticating agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (including taxes (other than taxes based upon, or measured by or determined by the income or receipts of the Trustee) and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) on the part of the Trustee, its officers, directors, agents or employees, or such agent or authenticating agent, as the case may be, and arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or in any other capacity hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder or of enforcing this Indenture against the Company or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.06). The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.06 to compensate or indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall be secured by a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except, subject to the effect of Section 6.05, funds held in trust herewith for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.06 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company. The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, final payment of the Notes and the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The indemnification provided in this Section 7.06 shall extend to the officers, directors, agents and employees of the Trustee.
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Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee and its agents and any authenticating agent incur expenses or render services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(i) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws.
Section 7.07. Officer’s Certificate as Evidence. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such Officer’s Certificate, in the absence of gross negligence and willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 7.08. Eligibility of Trustee. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act (as if the Trust Indenture Act were applicable hereto) to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.08, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article 7.
Section 7.09. Resignation or Removal of Trustee. The Trustee may at any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
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(a) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 7.13 within a reasonable time after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six (6) months;
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(b) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor trustee unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after removal of the Trustee by the Holders, the Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee.
(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.09 shall become effective upon (i) payment of all fees and expenses owing to the Trustee and (ii) acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.10.
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Section 7.10. Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.09 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee, the predecessor trustee shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a senior claim to which the Notes are hereby made subordinate on all money or property held or collected by such trustee as such pursuant to this Indenture, except for funds held in trust for the benefit of Holders of particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.
No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.10 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section 7.10, each of the Company and the successor trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall send or cause to be sent notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Note Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.11. Succession by Merger, Etc. Any corporation or other entity into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee (including the administration of this Indenture), shall be the successor to the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that in the case of any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee such corporation or other entity shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.08.
In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or authenticating agent appointed by such predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or an authenticating agent appointed by such successor trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor trustee hereunder or in the name of the successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates of authentication shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
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Section 7.12. Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company (other than with regard to any action proposed to be taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee that affects the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture) may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than ten Business Days after the date any Officer actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date), unless, prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of any omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in accordance with this Indenture in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.
Section 7.13. Conflicting Interests of Trustee. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 7.14. Limitation on Trustee’s Liability. Except as provided in this Article, in accepting the trusts hereby created, the entities acting as Trustee are acting solely as Trustee hereunder and not in their individual capacity and, except as provided in this Article, all Persons having any claim against the Trustee by reason of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture or any Note shall look only to the Company and the Guarantors for payment or satisfaction thereof.
Article
8
Concerning the Holders
Section 8.01. Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action, the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (i) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (ii) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held, or (iii) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders. Whenever the Company or the Trustee solicits the taking of any action by the Holders of the Notes, the Company or the Trustee may, but shall not be required to, fix in advance of such solicitation, a date as the record date for determining Holders entitled to take such action. The record date if one is selected shall be not more than fifteen days prior to the date of commencement of solicitation of such action.
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Section 8.02. Proof of Execution by Holders. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 and Section 7.02, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or its agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register or by a certificate of the Note Registrar.
Section 8.03. Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners. The Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any Paying Agent, any Conversion Agent and any Note Registrar may deem the Person in whose name a Note shall be registered upon the Note Register to be, and may treat it as, the absolute owner of such Note (whether or not such Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by any Person other than the Company or any Note Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and (subject to Section 2.03) accrued and unpaid interest on such Note, for conversion of such Note and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Paying Agent nor any Conversion Agent nor any Note Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments or deliveries so made to any Holder, or upon its order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sums or shares of Common Stock so paid or delivered, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for monies payable or shares deliverable upon any such Note. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes following an Event of Default, any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note may directly enforce against the Company, without the consent, solicitation, proxy, authorization or any other action of the Depositary or any other Person, such holder’s right to exchange such beneficial interest for a Note in certificated form in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 8.04. Company-Owned Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, consent, waiver or other action under this Indenture, Notes that are owned by the Company or by any Affiliate of the Company shall be disregarded (from both the numerator and the denominator) and deemed not to be outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent, waiver or other action only Notes that a Responsible Officer actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this Section 8.04 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to so act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Notes, if any, known by the Company to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above described Persons; and, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officer’s Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Notes not listed therein are outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.
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Section 8.05. Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Note that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Notes the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Note. Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Note and of any Notes issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Note or any Note issued in exchange or substitution therefor or upon registration of transfer thereof.
Article
9
[Reserved]
Article
10
Supplemental Indentures
Section 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 10.02, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees to:
(a) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees;
(b) provide for the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture or the Notes in accordance with Article 11;
(c) add additional Guarantees with respect to the Notes;
(d) [Reserved];
(e) secure the Notes or the Guarantees;
(f) add to the covenants or Events of Default of the Company that the Company’s Board of Directors considers to be for the benefit of the Holders or make changes that would provide additional rights to Holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company;
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(g) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a Board Resolution of the Company delivered to the Trustee;
(h) in connection with any Specified Corporate Event, provide that the Notes are convertible into Reference Property, subject to Section 14.02, and make certain related changes to the terms of this Indenture and the Notes to the extent expressly required by this Indenture;
(i) evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee; provided that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of this Indenture as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate;
(j) conform the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum;
(k) provide for the issuance of additional Notes in accordance with Section 2.10(a); or
(l) irrevocably elect any Settlement Method (including Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes of $1,000 or with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes at or above any specific amount set forth in such election notice) or Specified Dollar Amount, or eliminate the Company’s right to elect a Settlement Method, or change the Settlement Method deemed elected by the Company if the Company does not timely elect a Settlement Method applicable to a conversion.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any such amendment, supplement or waiver, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its discretion, enter into any amendment, supplement or waiver that adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 10.02. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. Except as provided above in Section 10.01 and below in this Section 10.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees with the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing Default or Event of Default (other than (i) a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal (including any Redemption Price and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, or accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded, and (ii) a Default or Event of Default as a result of a failure by the Company to deliver the consideration due upon conversion of the Notes) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees may be waived with the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 8) of the Holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (determined in accordance with Article 8 and including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a repurchase of, or tender or exchange offer for, Notes); provided, however, that, without the consent of each Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no such amendment shall:
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(a) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(b) reduce the rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note;
(c) reduce the principal of or extend the Maturity Date of any Note;
(d) reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the Notes;
(e) impair or adversely affect the right of Holders to convert Notes or otherwise modify the provisions with respect to conversion, or reduce the Conversion Rate (subject to such modifications as are required under this Indenture);
(f) reduce the Redemption Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price of any Note or amend or modify in any manner adverse to the Holders the Company’s obligation to make such payments, whether through an amendment or waiver of provisions in the covenants, definitions or otherwise;
(g) make any Note payable in a money, or at a place of payment, other than that stated in the Note;
(h) change the ranking of the Notes;
(i) amend the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal (including the Redemption Price and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, and consideration due upon conversion of, its Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in this Indenture;
(j) make any change in this Article 10 or in the waiver provisions (including in Section 6.09), in each case, that requires each Holder’s consent; or
(k) modify the Guarantees in any manner adverse to the Holders.
Upon the written request of the Company, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and subject to Section 10.05, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver unless such amendment, supplement or waiver adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Holders do not need under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture. It shall be sufficient if such Holders approve the substance thereof. After any such amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, the Company shall send to the Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment, supplement or waiver. However, the failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment, supplement or waiver.
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Section 10.03. Effect of Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Upon the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, the Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms and conditions of any such amendment or supplement shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 10.04. Notation on Notes. Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article 10 may, at the Company’s expense, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment, supplement or waiver. If the Company or the Trustee shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Company, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such amendment, supplement or waiver may, at the Company’s expense, be prepared and executed by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee (or an authenticating agent duly appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 17.11) and delivered in exchange for the Notes then outstanding, upon surrender of such Notes then outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 10.05. Evidence of Compliance of Amendment, Supplement or Waiver To Be Furnished To Trustee. In addition to the documents required by Section 17.06, the Trustee shall receive and may rely on an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with the requirements of this Article 10 and is permitted or authorized by this Indenture and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and any Guarantor party thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
Article
11
Consolidation, Merger and Sale
Section 11.01. The Company May Consolidate, Etc. on Certain Terms.
(a) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into or otherwise combine with another Person, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated assets, taken as a whole, to another Person (other than, in the case of a sale, lease or other transfer or disposition, to one or more of the Company’s direct or indirect Subsidiaries), unless:
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(i) (1) the Company is the surviving corporation or (2) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not the Company) (the “Successor Company”) (A) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (B) expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture or a supplemental agreement, as applicable, all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, as the case may be; and
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture.
For purposes of this Section 11.01, any sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of the assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company to another Person that would, if such assets were held directly by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, have constituted the sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets, taken as a whole, shall be deemed to be the sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of the assets of all or substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets, taken as a whole, to another Person.
(b) Upon any such consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease or other transfer or disposition and upon the assumption by the Successor Company, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes, the due and punctual delivery and/or payment, as the case may be, of any consideration due upon conversion of the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement to be performed by the Company, such Successor Company (if not the Company) shall succeed to, and may exercise every right and power of and be substituted for, the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the Company shall be discharged from its obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement. Such Successor Company (instead of the Company, if applicable) thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such Successor Company instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver, or cause to be authenticated and delivered, any Notes that previously shall have been signed and delivered by an Officer of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Notes that such Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Notes so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Notes theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Notes had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Section 11.02. [Reserved]
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Section 11.03. Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate To Be Given to Trustee. In connection with any consolidation, merger, combination or sale, lease or other transfer or disposition implicated by this Article 11, the Trustee shall receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that any such consolidation, merger, combination or sale, lease or other transfer or disposition and any such assumption and such supplemental indenture (if any) complies with the provisions of this Article 11 and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, an Opinion of Counsel, which shall state that the Indenture and the Notes, as applicable, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of any Successor Company, subject to customary exceptions.
Article
12
Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors
Section 12.01. Indenture, Notes and Guarantees Solely Corporate Obligations. No recourse for the payment of the principal of or accrued and unpaid interest on, or the payment or delivery of consideration due upon conversion of, any Note or any Guarantee, nor for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any Note or any Guarantee, nor because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, Officer or director or Subsidiary (other than the Company), as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any Guarantor or of any of their respective successor corporations or other entities, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any of their respective successor corporations or other entities, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Notes and the Guarantees.
Article
13
Guarantee
Section 13.01. Guarantee.
(a) Subject to this Article 13, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes held thereby and the obligations of the Company hereunder and thereunder, that: (i) the principal of and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at the Maturity Date, by acceleration, upon redemption, upon repurchase or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on the Notes, and the Settlement Amounts upon conversion will be promptly paid and/or delivered in full when due upon conversion, and all other payment obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at the Maturity Date, by acceleration, upon redemption, upon repurchase or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default with respect to the Notes under this Indenture shall constitute an event of default under the Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as the obligations of the Company.
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(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their respective obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture, or pursuant to Section 13.03.
(c) Each of the Guarantors also agrees, jointly and severally, to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 13.01.
(d) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Custodian, Trustee or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Guarantees to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
(e) Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of this Indenture for the purposes of its Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of this Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purpose of its Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.
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(f) Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company for liquidation or reorganization, should the Company become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Company’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or the Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.
(g) In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(h) Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
(i) For the avoidance of doubt, the Guarantees with respect to a Note are not convertible and shall automatically terminate when such Note is converted in accordance with this Indenture.
Section 13.02. Execution and Delivery.
The Guarantees shall be evidenced by the execution and delivery of this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture and no notation of any Guarantee need be endorsed on any Note. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 13.01 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 Guarantees shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantees set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
Section 13.03. Release of Guarantees.
The Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged under this Indenture upon:
(a) any direct or indirect sale, exchange or other transfer (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor (including any sale, exchange or transfer) after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company or another Guarantor;
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(b) the release or discharge of such Subsidiary as a guarantor, obligor and/or issuer under the Existing Senior Notes and the Existing Exchangeable Notes or the release or discharge of the guarantee or direct obligation which resulted in the creation of such Guarantee of the Notes, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee; or
(c) the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
In the event that any released Guarantor (in the case of Section 13.03(b) above) thereafter is required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.05, such former Guarantor shall again provide a Guarantee in accordance with such Section.
At the request of the Company and upon delivery of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 13.
Section 13.04. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or a fraudulent transfer for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Section 13.05. Subrogation.
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Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 13.01; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Company under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
Section 13.06. Benefits Acknowledged.
Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
Section 13.07. [Reserved].
Section 13.08. “Trustee” to Include Paying Agent.
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article 13 shall in each case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to, and including, such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully and for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article 13 in place of the Trustee.
Section 13.09. Obligation to Seek Regulatory Approval for Additional Guarantees.
With respect to any Subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee indebtedness under the Existing Senior Notes and/or the Existing Exchangeable Notes on the Issue Date that do not initially guarantee the Notes on the Issue Date due to regulatory approval being required for such Subsidiaries to incur or guarantee debt (the “Regulated Subsidiaries” and each a “Regulated Subsidiary”), within 60 days following the Issue Date, the Company shall (or shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to) file to obtain regulatory approval for such Subsidiaries to guarantee the Notes and the Company shall (or shall cause its applicable Subsidiaries to) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such approval. If the Company or its applicable Subsidiaries obtain such approval (without any conditions that the Company determines in good faith constitute an undue burden on it or the applicable Subsidiaries, as the case may be), then, within 30 days thereafter, the Company shall cause each such Regulated Subsidiary for which such regulatory approval was obtained to guarantee the Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, there shall be no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture if the Company or any applicable Subsidiary files for and uses commercially reasonable efforts to obtain regulatory approval to guarantee the Notes but is unable to obtain such approval at all or without such conditions.
Article
14
Conversion of Notes
Section 14.01. Conversion Privilege.
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(a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article 14, each Holder of a Note shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to convert all or any portion in an Authorized Denomination of such Note:
(i) subject to satisfaction of the conditions described in Section 14.01(b), at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2027 under the circumstances and during the periods set forth in Section 14.01(b);
(ii) on or after September 1, 2027, at any time prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date;
in each case, at an initial conversion rate of 137.1742 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 14.04 and, if applicable, Section 14.03 or Section 16.06, the “Conversion Rate”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (subject to the settlement provisions of Section 14.02, the “Conversion Obligation”).
(b) (i) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2027, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes in an Authorized Denomination for conversion at any time during the five Business Day period after any ten consecutive Trading Day period (the “Measurement Period”) in which the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, as determined following a request by a Holder of Notes in accordance with the procedures and conditions described below in this subsection (b)(i), for each Trading Day of the Measurement Period was less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each such Trading Day.
(A) The Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes unless the Company has requested such determination, and the Company shall have no obligation to make such request (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price) unless a Holder of at least $1,000,000 principal amount of Notes requests in writing that the Company makes such a determination and provides the Company with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes would be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day. At such time, the Company shall instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent (if other than the Company) to determine, or if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, the Company shall determine, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes beginning on the next Trading Day following the receipt of such evidence and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day.
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(B) If the Trading Price condition has been met, the Company shall promptly so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing. If, at any time after the Trading Price condition has been met, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on such Trading Day, the Company shall promptly so notify the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing.
(C) If the Company does not, when it is required to, instruct the Bid Solicitation Agent to (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, it does not) obtain bids, or if the Company gives such instruction to the Bid Solicitation Agent and the Bid Solicitation Agent fails to make such determination (or, if the Company is acting as Bid Solicitation Agent, it fails to make such determination), then, in either case, the Trading Price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes shall be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock and the Conversion Rate on each Trading Day of such failure.
(ii) If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2027, the Company elects to:
(A) issue to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than any issuance pursuant to a shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance; or
(B) distribute to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock assets, securities or rights, options or warrants to purchase securities (in each case, other than any distribution pursuant to a shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan), which distribution has a per share value, as reasonably determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, exceeding 10% of the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such distribution,
then, in either case, the Company shall notify all Holders of the Notes, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) at least 50 Scheduled Trading Days prior to the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution. Once the Company has given such notice, the Holders may surrender all or any portion of their Notes in an Authorized Denomination for conversion at any time until the earlier of (1) the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance or distribution and (2) the Company’s announcement that such issuance or distribution will not take place.
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No Holder may convert any of its Notes pursuant to this Section 14.01(b)(ii) if such Holder otherwise participates in such issuance or distribution, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and as a result of holding Notes, without having to convert its Notes as if such Holder held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (x) the applicable Conversion Rate multiplied by (y) the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.
(iii) If, prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2027:
(A) a transaction or event that constitutes a Fundamental Change occurs;
(B) a transaction or event that constitutes a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs; or
(C) the Company is a party to a consolidation, merger or other combination, statutory share exchange or sale, lease or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated assets, taken as a whole, in each case, pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (other than any such transaction that is solely for the purpose of changing the Company’s jurisdiction of organization that (x) does not constitute a Fundamental Change or a Make-Whole Fundamental Change and (y) results in a reclassification, conversion or exchange of outstanding shares of the Common Stock solely into shares of common stock of the surviving entity and such common stock becomes Reference Property for the Notes) ,
then, in each case, the Holders may surrender all or any portion of their Notes in an Authorized Denomination for conversion at any time from or after the open of business on the Business Day immediately following the day the Company publicly announces such transaction (even if such transaction has not yet occurred) until the close of business on the 35th Trading Day immediately following the actual effective date of such transaction or, if such transaction constitutes a Fundamental Change (other than a Fundamental Change for which the Company validly invokes the Adequate Cash Conversion Provisions), until the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date.
The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the effective date of any such transaction as promptly as practicable following the date the Company publicly announces such transaction, and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify Holders in writing prior to such effective date, if practicable.
(iv) Prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding September 1, 2027, a Holder may surrender all or any portion of its Notes in an Authorized Denomination for conversion at any time during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on March 31, 2023 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the Conversion Price on each applicable Trading Day. The Company shall determine whether the Notes are convertible because the condition in this Section 14.01(b)(iv) is met and promptly provide written notice to the Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee).
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(v) If the Company calls the Notes for Redemption pursuant to Section 16.01, Holders may convert any or all of their Called Notes at any time from, and including, the Redemption Notice Date until the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date. After that time, the right to convert such Called Notes on account of the Company’s delivery of a Notice of Redemption shall expire, unless the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price, in which case a Holder of Called Notes may convert all or any portion of its Called Notes until such later date on which the Company pays or duly provides for the Redemption Price. If the Company elects to redeem less than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16 and the Holder of any Note (or any owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note) is reasonably not able to determine, before the close of business on the tenth Scheduled Trading Day immediately before the relevant Redemption Date, whether such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, is to be redeemed pursuant to such Redemption (and, as a result thereof, convertible in accordance with this Section 14.01(b)(v)), then such Holder or owner, as applicable, will be entitled to convert such Note or beneficial interest, as applicable, at any time before the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day prior to the Redemption Date (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, in which case such Holder or owner, as applicable, may convert such Note or beneficial interest, as the case may be, until the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for), and each such conversion shall be deemed to be of a Note called for Redemption (a “Deemed Redemption”).
If a Holder elects to convert its Called Notes during the related Redemption Period, the Company shall, under certain circumstances, increase the Conversion Rate for such Called Notes pursuant to Section 16.06. Accordingly, if the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes shall not be entitled to convert such Notes on account of the Notice of Redemption and shall not be entitled to an increased Conversion Rate on account of the Notice of Redemption for conversions of such Notes during the related Redemption Period if such Notes are otherwise convertible pursuant to any other provision of this Section 14.01(b).
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Notes or this Indenture, no Holder of Notes shall be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such Notes to the extent (but only to the extent) that such receipt would cause a violation of the Ownership Limitations. Any purported delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes shall be void and have no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that such delivery would result in a violation of the Ownership Limitations. If any delivery of shares of Common Stock owed to a Holder upon conversion of Notes is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of the limitations described in this paragraph, the Company’s obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished, and the Company shall deliver such shares as promptly as practicable after the applicable Holder gives notice to the Company and the Company determines that such delivery would not result in a violation of the Ownership Limitations.
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Section 14.02. Conversion Procedure; Settlement Upon Conversion.
(a) Subject to this Section 14.02, Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall, at its election, pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting Holder, in full satisfaction of its Conversion Obligation, cash (“Cash Settlement”), shares of Common Stock (“Physical Settlement”) or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock (“Combination Settlement”), as set forth in this Section 14.02.
(i) All conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after September 1, 2027, and all conversions of Called Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, shall be settled using the same Settlement Method (including the same relative proportion of cash and/or shares of Common Stock). Except for any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after September 1, 2027 or any conversions of Called Notes for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, the Company shall use the same Settlement Method (including the same relative proportion of cash and/or shares of Common Stock) for all conversions with the same Conversion Date, but the Company shall not have any obligation to use the same Settlement Method with respect to conversions with different Conversion Dates.
(ii) If the Company elects a Settlement Method, the Company shall deliver notice to Holders through the Conversion Agent of such Settlement Method the Company has selected no later than the close of business on the second VWAP Trading Day immediately following the related Conversion Date (or (i) in the case of any conversions for which the relevant Conversion Date occurs on or after September 1, 2027, no later than September 1, 2027 or (ii) in the case of any conversions of Called Notes for which the Conversion Date occurs during the related Redemption Period, in such Notice of Redemption) (in each case, the “Settlement Method Election Deadline”). If the Company does not timely elect a Settlement Method with respect to any conversion on such Conversion Date or during such period, the Company shall no longer have the right to elect a Settlement Method and the Company shall be deemed to have elected the Default Settlement Method with respect to such conversion. If the Company timely elects Combination Settlement with respect to a conversion but does not timely notify the converting Holder through the Trustee of the applicable Specified Dollar Amount, then the Specified Dollar Amount for such conversion shall be deemed to be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company’s failure to timely elect a Settlement Method or specify the applicable Specified Dollar Amount shall not constitute a Default under this Indenture.
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(iii) The “Default Settlement Method” shall initially be Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. However, the Company may, from time to time prior to September 1, 2027, change the Default Settlement Method by sending notice of the new Default Settlement Method to the Holders through the Trustee. In addition, the Company may, by notice to the Holders through the Trustee prior to September 1, 2027, elect to irrevocably fix the Settlement Method to any Settlement Method that the Company is then permitted to elect, including Combination Settlement with a Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes of $1,000 or with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes at or above any specific amount set forth in such election notice, that will apply to all conversions of Notes with a Conversion Date that is on or after the date the Company sends such notice. If the Company changes the Default Settlement Method or elects to irrevocably fix the Settlement Method, in either case, to Combination Settlement with an ability to continue to set the Specified Dollar Amount per $1,000 principal amount of Notes at or above a specified amount, the Company shall, after the date of such change or election, as the case may be, inform Holders converting their Notes through the Trustee of such Specified Dollar Amount in respect of the relevant conversion or conversions no later than the relevant Settlement Method Election Deadline for such conversion or conversions as described above, or, if the Company does not timely inform the Holders of the Specified Dollar Amount, such Specified Dollar Amount shall be the specific amount set forth in the change or election notice or, if no specific amount was set forth in the change or election notice, such Specified Dollar Amount shall be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. Concurrently with providing notice to the Holders through the Trustee of such change in the Default Settlement Method or election to irrevocably fix the Settlement Method, the Company shall promptly file a report on Form 8-K or issue a press release announcing that the Company has made such change to the Default Settlement Method or elected to irrevocably fix the Settlement Method, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such change in the Default Settlement Method or irrevocable election shall affect any Settlement Method theretofore elected (or deemed to be elected) with respect to any Note pursuant to this Section 14.02(a). For the avoidance of doubt, such an irrevocable election, if made, shall be effective without the need to amend this Indenture or the Notes, including pursuant to Section 10.01(l). However, the Company may nonetheless choose to execute such an amendment at its option.
(iv) The cash, shares of Common Stock or combination of cash and shares of Common Stock payable or deliverable by the Company in respect of any conversion of Notes (the “Settlement Amount”) shall be computed by the Company as follows:
(A) if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Physical Settlement, the Company shall deliver to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Conversion Date (plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion);
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(B) if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Cash Settlement, the Company shall pay to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted cash in an amount equal to the sum of the Daily Conversion Values for each of the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Days during the related Observation Period; and
(C) if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) to satisfy its Conversion Obligation in respect of such conversion by Combination Settlement, the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, to the converting Holder in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of Notes being converted a Settlement Amount equal to the sum of the Daily Settlement Amounts for each of the 40 consecutive VWAP Trading Days during the related Observation Period (plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion).
If more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at any one time by the same Holder, the Conversion Obligation with respect to such Notes shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (or specified portions thereof to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered.
(v) The Daily Settlement Amounts (if applicable) and the Daily Conversion Values (if applicable) shall be determined by the Company promptly following the last VWAP Trading Day of the related Observation Period. Promptly after such determination of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and, if applicable, the amount of cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares, the Company shall notify the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) of the Daily Settlement Amounts or the Daily Conversion Values, as the case may be, and, if applicable, the amount of cash payable in lieu of fractional shares. The Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) shall have no responsibility for any such determination.
(b) (i) To convert a beneficial interest in a Global Note (which conversion is irrevocable), the holder of such beneficial interest must:
(A) comply with the Applicable Procedures for converting a beneficial interest in a Global Note;
(B) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes; and
(C) if required, pay funds equal to any interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(g); and
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(ii) To convert a Certificated Note, the Holder must:
(A) complete, manually sign and deliver an irrevocable notice to the Conversion Agent as set forth in the Form of Notice of Conversion (or a facsimile thereof) (a “Notice of Conversion”) and such Note to the Conversion Agent;
(B) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents;
(C) if required, pay all transfer or similar taxes; and
(D) if required, pay funds equal to any interest payable on the next Interest Payment Date to which such Holder is not entitled as set forth in Section 14.02(g).
The Trustee (and if different, the Conversion Agent) shall notify the Company of any conversion pursuant to this Article 14 on the Conversion Date for such conversion.
If a Holder has already delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to a Note, such Holder may not surrender such Note for conversion until such Holder has validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (or, in the case of a Global Note, has complied with the Applicable Procedures with respect to such a withdrawal) in accordance with the terms of Section 15.03. If a Holder has already delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, such Holder’s right to withdraw such notice and convert the Notes that are subject to repurchase will terminate at the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant Fundamental Change Repurchase Date. If the Company has designated a Redemption Date pursuant to Section 16.02, a Holder that complies with the requirements for conversion set forth in this Section 14.02(b) shall be deemed to have delivered a notice of its election not to have its Notes so redeemed.
(c) A Note shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the date (the “Conversion Date”) that the Holder has complied with the requirements set forth in Section 14.02(b) above.
Subject to the provisions of Section 14.03(b) and Section 14.07(a), the Company shall pay or deliver, as the case may be, the Settlement Amount due in respect of the Conversion Obligation on:
(i) the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date, if the Company elects (or is deemed to elect) Physical Settlement; or
(ii) the second Business Day immediately following the last VWAP Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period, if the Company elects Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement,
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provided that with respect to conversions for which Physical Settlement is applicable and the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, such settlement shall occur on the Maturity Date (or, if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day).
If any shares of Common Stock are due to converting Holders, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued, and deliver to such Holder, or such Holder’s nominee or nominees, certificates or a book-entry transfer through the Depositary, as the case may be, for the full number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled in satisfaction of the Company’s Conversion Obligation.
(d) In case any Certificated Note shall be surrendered for partial conversion, in an Authorized Denomination, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written order of the Holder so surrendered a new Note or Notes in an Authorized Denomination in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of the surrendered Note, without payment of any service charge by the converting Holder but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law or that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such conversion being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such conversion.
(e) If a Holder submits a Note for conversion, the Company shall pay any documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issuance or delivery of any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of such Note, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests such shares of Common Stock to be issued in a name other than the Holder’s name, in which case the Holder shall pay that tax.
(f) Upon the conversion of an interest in a Global Note, the Trustee, or the Custodian of the Global Note at the direction of the Trustee, shall make a notation in the books and records of the Trustee and Depositary as to the reduction in the principal amount represented thereby. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any conversion of Notes effected through any Conversion Agent other than the Trustee.
(g) Upon conversion of a Note, the converting Holder shall not receive any separate cash payment representing accrued and unpaid interest, if any, except as set forth in the paragraph below. The Company’s payment or delivery, as the case may be, of the Settlement Amount upon conversion of any Note shall be deemed to satisfy in full its obligation to pay the principal amount of the Note and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date. As a result, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the relevant Conversion Date shall be deemed to be paid in full rather than cancelled, extinguished or forfeited. Upon a conversion of Notes into a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, accrued and unpaid interest shall be deemed to be paid first out of the cash paid upon such conversion.
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Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, if Notes are converted after the close of business on a Regular Record Date for the payment of interest, but prior to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date, Holders of such Notes at the close of business on such Regular Record Date shall receive the full amount of interest payable on such Notes on the corresponding Interest Payment Date notwithstanding the conversion. Notes surrendered for conversion during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the open of business on the immediately following Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by funds equal to the amount of interest payable on the Notes so converted on the corresponding Interest Payment Date (regardless of whether the converting Holder was the Holder of record on the corresponding Regular Record Date); provided that no such payment need be made:
(i) if the Notes are surrendered for conversion following the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date;
(ii) in respect of conversions of any Called Notes, if the Company specified a Redemption Date that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date;
(iii) if the Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or had the Company not validly invoked the Adequate Cash Conversion Provisions, the Company would have specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) that is after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the corresponding Interest Payment Date; or
(iv) to the extent of any overdue interest, if any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such Note.
Therefore, for the avoidance of doubt, all Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, any Redemption Date as described in clause (ii) above and any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date as described in clause (iii) above shall receive and retain the full interest payment due on the Maturity Date or other applicable Interest Payment Date regardless of whether their Notes have been converted following such Regular Record Date.
(h) The Person in whose name any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion is registered shall become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock as of the close of business on (i) the relevant Conversion Date if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement or (ii) the last VWAP Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) Combination Settlement. Upon a conversion of Notes, such Person shall no longer be a Holder of such Notes surrendered for conversion; provided that (a) the converting Holder shall have the right to receive the Settlement Amount due upon conversion and (b) in the case of a conversion between a Regular Record Date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Holder of record as of the close of business on such Regular Record Date shall have the right to receive the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date, in accordance with Section 14.02(g).
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(i) The Company shall not deliver any fractional shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and shall instead pay cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion in an amount based on (i) the Daily VWAP on the relevant Conversion Date if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement or (ii) the Daily VWAP on the last VWAP Trading Day of the relevant Observation Period if the Company elects (or is deemed to have elected) Combination Settlement. For each Note surrendered for conversion, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Combination Settlement, the full number of shares of Common Stock that shall be issued upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Daily Settlement Amounts for the relevant Observation Period and, if applicable, any fractional shares of Common Stock remaining after such computation shall be paid in cash.
(j) Upon surrender by a Holder of its Notes for conversion, the Company may, at its election, direct the Conversion Agent to surrender, on or prior to the scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the first VWAP Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period (or, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement, on or prior to the Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date), such Notes to a financial institution designated by the Company (the “Designated Financial Institution”) for exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any Notes surrendered to the Company for conversion, the Designated Financial Institution must agree to pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, in exchange for such Notes, all of the cash, shares of Common Stock or combination thereof due upon conversion, all as provided in Section 14.02(a). By the close of business on the scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the first VWAP Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period (or, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement, by the close of business on the Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date), the Company shall notify the Holder surrendering Notes for conversion that the Company has directed the Designated Financial Institution to make an exchange in lieu of a conversion.
If the Designated Financial Institution accepts any Notes as described above, it will pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof due upon conversion to such Holder on the second Business Day immediately following the last VWAP Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period (or, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement, on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date; provided that with respect to conversions for which Physical Settlement is applicable and the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, such settlement shall occur on the Maturity Date (or, if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day)). Any Notes exchanged by the Designated Financial Institution shall remain outstanding. If the Designated Financial Institution agrees to accept any Notes for exchange but does not timely pay and/or deliver the related cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof, as the case may be, or if such Designated Financial Institution does not accept the Notes for exchange, the Company shall convert the Notes and pay and/or deliver, as the case may be, the cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof due upon conversion on the second Business Day immediately following the last VWAP Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period (or, if the Company has elected (or is deemed to have elected) Physical Settlement, on the second Business Day immediately following the relevant Conversion Date; provided, that with respect to conversions for which Physical Settlement is applicable and the relevant Conversion Date occurs after the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date, such settlement will occur on the Maturity Date (or, if the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day)) as described in Section 14.02.
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The Company’s designation of a Designated Financial Institution does not require such Designated Financial Institution to accept any Notes (unless such Designated Financial Institution has separately made an agreement with the Company). The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into a separate agreement with any Designated Financial Institution that would compensate it for any such transaction.
Section 14.03. Increase in Conversion Rate Upon Conversion in Connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change. (a) If the Effective Date of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs prior to the Maturity Date and a Holder elects to convert its Notes in connection with such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall, under the circumstances described below, increase the Conversion Rate for the Notes so surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”), as described below. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed for these purposes to be “in connection with” such Make-Whole Fundamental Change if the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the period from the open of business on the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the related Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (or in the case of (i) a Make-Whole Fundamental Change that would have been a Fundamental Change but for (x) the proviso in clause (b) of the definition thereof or (y) the Adequate Cash Conversion Provisions and (ii) any Event of Default described in Section 6.01(l), the 35th Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change)(such period, the “Make-Whole Fundamental Change Period”).
(b) Upon surrender of Notes for conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Company shall, at its option, satisfy its Conversion Obligation by Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement in accordance with Section 14.02 (after giving effect to any increase in the Conversion Rate required by this Section 14.03); provided, however, that, if the consideration for the Common Stock in any Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change is composed entirely of cash, for any conversion of Notes following the Effective Date of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Conversion Obligation shall be calculated based solely on the Stock Price for the transaction and shall be deemed to be an amount of cash per $1,000 principal amount of converted Notes equal to (i) the Conversion Rate (including any increase to reflect the Additional Shares as described in this Section 14.03), multiplied by (ii) such Stock Price. In such event, the Conversion Obligation shall be determined and paid to Holders in cash on the second Business Day following the Conversion Date. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the Effective Date of any Make-Whole Fundamental Change and the Company will issue a press release announcing such Effective Date and publish the information on its website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time no later than five Business Days after such Effective Date (the “Make-Whole Fundamental Change Company Notice”).
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(c) The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by reference to the table below, based on the date on which the Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurs or becomes effective (the “Effective Date”) and the price (the “Stock Price”) paid (or deemed to be paid) per share of Common Stock in the Make-Whole Fundamental Change. If the holders of the Common Stock receive in exchange for their Common Stock only cash in a Make-Whole Fundamental Change described in clause (b) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Stock Price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise, the Stock Price shall be the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of the Common Stock over the five Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Effective Date of the Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
(d) The Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table below shall be adjusted as of any date on which the Conversion Rate is otherwise adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal (i) the Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such adjustment giving rise to the Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The number of Additional Shares set forth in the table below shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 14.04.
(e) The following table sets forth the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased per $1,000 principal amount of Notes pursuant to this Section 14.03 for each Stock Price and Effective Date set forth below:
Stock Price | ||||||||||||
Effective Date |
$6.075 |
$6.50 |
$7.00 |
$7.29 |
$7.50 |
$8.25 |
$9.00 |
$9.48 |
$11.00 |
$13.00 |
$18.00 |
$25.00 |
December 12, 2022 | 27.4348 | 23.4585 | 19.5986 | 17.6914 | 16.4413 | 12.7103 | 9.8800 | 8.4262 | 5.1091 | 2.6100 | 0.2806 | 0.0000 |
December 1, 2023 | 27.4348 | 23.4585 | 19.5986 | 17.6914 | 16.4413 | 12.7103 | 9.8800 | 8.4262 | 5.1091 | 2.6100 | 0.2806 | 0.0000 |
December 1, 2024 | 27.4348 | 23.4585 | 19.5986 | 17.6914 | 16.4413 | 12.7103 | 9.8800 | 8.4262 | 5.1091 | 2.4154 | 0.2083 | 0.0000 |
December 1, 2025 | 27.4348 | 23.4585 | 19.5986 | 17.6914 | 16.4413 | 12.7103 | 9.4789 | 7.6846 | 3.9264 | 1.5385 | 0.0311 | 0.0000 |
December 1, 2026 | 27.4348 | 23.4585 | 19.5843 | 16.5940 | 14.7080 | 9.5139 | 6.1044 | 4.5717 | 1.7455 | 0.3762 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
December 1, 2027 | 27.4348 | 16.6720 | 5.6829 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 | 0.0000 |
The exact Stock Price and/or Effective Date may not be set forth in the table above, in which case:
(i) if the Stock Price is between two Stock Prices in the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number of Additional Shares by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Prices and the earlier and later Effective Dates, as applicable, based on a 365-day year or 366-day year, as applicable;
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(ii) if the Stock Price is greater than $25.00 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate; and
(iii) if the Stock Price is less than $6.075 per share (subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Stock Prices set forth in the column headings of the table above), no Additional Shares shall be added to the Conversion Rate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Conversion Rate per $1,000 principal amount of Notes exceed 164.6090 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04.
(f) Nothing in this Section 14.03 shall prevent an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 14.04 in respect of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
Section 14.04. Adjustment of Conversion Rate. The Conversion Rate shall be adjusted from time to time by the Company if any of the following events occurs, except that the Company shall not make any adjustments to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Notes participate (other than in the case of a share split or share combination), at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock and solely as a result of holding the Notes, in any of the transactions described in this Section 14.04, without having to convert their Notes, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the Conversion Rate, multiplied by (ii) the principal amount (expressed in thousands) of Notes held by such Holder.
(a) If the Company exclusively issues shares of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of Common Stock, or if the Company effects a share split or share combination, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date of such dividend or distribution, or immediately prior to the open of business on the effective date of such share split or share combination, as applicable;
CR1 = the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date, as applicable;
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OS0 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date, as applicable, before giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination; and
OS1 = the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such dividend, distribution, share split or share combination.
Any adjustment made under this Section 14.04(a) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution, or immediately after the open of business on the effective date for such share split or share combination, as applicable. If any dividend or distribution of the type described in this Section 14.04(a) is declared and results in an adjustment under this Section 14.04(a) but is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Company’s Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
(b) If the Company issues to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock any rights, options or warrants (other than any issuance pursuant to a shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan) entitling them, for a period of not more than 60 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance; |
CR1 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
OS0 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
X = | the total number of shares of Common Stock deliverable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants; and |
Y = | the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants, divided by the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants. |
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Any increase made under this Section 14.04(b) shall be made successively whenever any such rights, options or warrants are issued and shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are not delivered after the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the increase with respect to the issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered. If such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Company’s Board of Directors determines not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such Ex-Dividend Date for such issuance had not occurred.
For purposes of this Section 14.04(b) and Section 14.01(b)(ii)(A), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders of Common Stock to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at less than such average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of the Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of announcement of such issuance, and in determining the aggregate offering price of such shares of Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received by the Company for such rights, options or warrants and any amount payable on exercise or conversion thereof, the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors.
(c) If the Company distributes shares of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire its Capital Stock or other securities, to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, excluding:
(i) dividends, distributions or issuances (including share splits) described in Section 14.04(a) or Section 14.04(b);
(ii) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash described in Section 14.04(d);
(iii) except in the case of a Separation Event, any dividend or distribution pursuant to a shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan (as described in this Section 14.04(c));
(iv) any dividends and distributions in connection with a Specified Corporate Event described under Section 14.07; and
(v) Spin-Offs as to which the provisions set forth below in this Section 14.04(c) shall apply;
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(any of such shares of Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness, other assets or property or rights, options or warrants to acquire Capital Stock or other securities of the Company, the “Distributed Property”), then the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
CR1 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date; |
SP0 = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; and |
FMV = | the fair market value (as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors) of the Distributed Property so distributed with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. |
Any increase made under the portion of this Section 14.04(c) above shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution. If such distribution is not so paid or made, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Company’s Board of Directors determines not to pay or make such distribution, to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “FMV” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount thereof, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock receive the Distributed Property, the amount and kind of Distributed Property that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Ex-Dividend Date for the distribution.
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 14.04(c) where there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on the Common Stock of Capital Stock of any class or series, or similar equity interest, of or relating to a Subsidiary or other business unit of the Company, that are, or, when issued, will be, listed or admitted for trading on a U.S. national securities exchange (a “Spin-Off”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
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where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
CR1 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such distribution; |
FMV0 = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of the Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock (determined by reference to the definition of Last Reported Sale Price as set forth in Section 1.01 as if references therein to the Common Stock were to such Capital Stock or similar equity interest) over the first 10 consecutive Trading Day period after, and including, the Ex-Dividend Date of the Spin-Off (the “Valuation Period”); and |
MP0 = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the Valuation Period. |
Any adjustment to the Conversion Rate under the preceding paragraph shall be made immediately after the close of business on the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period, but will be given effect as of the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for the Spin-Off. Because the Company will make the adjustment to the Conversion Rate at the end of the Valuation Period with retroactive effect, the Company will delay the settlement of any conversion of Notes where the Conversion Date (in the case of Physical Settlement) or the final VWAP Trading Day of the related Observation Period (in the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement) occurs during the Valuation Period. In such event, the Company shall deliver the consideration due upon conversion on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the Valuation Period. If such Spin-Off does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared, effective as of the date on which the Company’s Board of Directors determines not to consummate such Spin-Off.
For purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and subject in all respects to Section 14.11), rights, options or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of the Common Stock entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s Capital Stock, including Common Stock (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights, options or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (“Trigger Event”):
(i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock;
(ii) are not exercisable; and
(iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of the Common Stock,
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shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 14.04(c) (and no adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) will be required) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Conversion Rate shall be made under this Section 14.04(c). If any such right, option or warrant, including any such existing rights, options or warrants distributed prior to the date of this Indenture, are subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights, options or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Ex-Dividend Date with respect to new rights, options or warrants with such rights (in which case the existing rights, options or warrants shall be deemed to terminate and expire on such date without exercise by any of the holders thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights, options or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(c) was made:
(A) in the case of any such rights, options or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or purchased without exercise by any holders thereof, upon such final redemption or purchase (x) the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options or warrants had not been issued and (y) the Conversion Rate shall then again be readjusted to give effect to such distribution, deemed distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per share redemption or purchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Stock with respect to such rights, options or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights, options or warrants), made to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or purchase, and
(B) in the case of such rights, options or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights, options and warrants had not been issued.
For purposes of Section 14.04(a), Section 14.04(b) and this Section 14.04(c), any dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable that also includes one or both of:
(i) a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock to which Section 14.04(a) is applicable (the “Clause A Distribution”); or
(ii) a dividend or distribution of rights, options or warrants to which Section 14.04(b) is applicable (the “Clause B Distribution”),
then:
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(A) such dividend or distribution, other than the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution, shall be deemed to be a dividend or distribution to which this Section 14.04(c) is applicable (the “Clause C Distribution”) and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by this Section 14.04(c) with respect to such Clause C Distribution shall then be made; and
(B) the Clause A Distribution and Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to immediately follow the Clause C Distribution and any Conversion Rate adjustment required by Section 14.04(a) and Section 14.04(b) with respect thereto shall then be made, except that, if determined by the Company (I) the “Ex-Dividend Date” of the Clause A Distribution and the Clause B Distribution shall be deemed to be the Ex-Dividend Date of the Clause C Distribution and (II) any shares of Common Stock included in the Clause A Distribution or Clause B Distribution shall be deemed not to be “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date or effective date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(a) or “outstanding immediately prior to the open of business on such Ex-Dividend Date” within the meaning of Section 14.04(b).
(d) If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, other than a regular quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.15 per share (the “Initial Dividend Threshold”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
CR1 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
SP0 = | the Last Reported Sale Price per share of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution; |
T = | the Initial Dividend Threshold; provided that if the dividend or distribution is not a regular, quarterly cash dividend, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be deemed to be zero; and |
C = | the amount in cash per share the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock. |
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The Initial Dividend Threshold is subject to adjustment in a manner inversely proportional to adjustments to the Conversion Rate; provided that no adjustment shall be made to the Initial Dividend Threshold for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(d).
Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 14.04(d) shall become effective immediately after the open of business on the Ex-Dividend Date for such dividend or distribution. If such dividend or distribution is not so paid, the Conversion Rate shall be decreased, effective as of the date the Company’s Board of Directors determines not to make or pay such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if “C” (as defined above) is equal to or greater than “SP0” (as defined above), in lieu of the foregoing increase, each Holder of a Note shall receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of the Common Stock, the amount of cash that such Holder would have received if such Holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Ex-Dividend Date for such cash dividend or distribution.
(e) If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes a payment in respect of a tender or exchange offer for the Common Stock (other than an odd-lot tender offer), to the extent that the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock exceeds the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (such date, the “Expiration Date”), the Conversion Rate shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
CR0 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the open of business on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date; |
CR1 = | the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the open of business on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date; |
AC = | the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration (as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors) paid or payable for shares of Common Stock purchased or exchanged in such tender or exchange offer; |
OS0 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the time (the “Expiration Time”) such tender or exchange offer expires (prior to giving effect to the purchase or exchange of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); |
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OS1 = | the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Expiration Time (after giving effect to the purchase or exchange of all shares accepted for purchase or exchange in such tender or exchange offer); and |
SP1 = | the average of the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock over the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date. |
Any adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 14.04(e) shall be made at the close of business on the 10th Trading Day immediately following, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date, but will be given effect as of the open of business on the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date. Because the Company shall make the adjustment to the Conversion Rate at the end of the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date with retroactive effect, the Company shall delay the settlement of any conversion of Notes where the Conversion Date (in the case of Physical Settlement) or the final VWAP Trading Day of the related Observation Period (in the case of Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement) occurs during the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date. In such event, the Company will deliver the consideration due upon conversion on the second Business Day immediately following the last Trading Day of the 10 consecutive Trading Day period commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date.
In the event that the Company or one of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer or exchange offer, but the Company or such Subsidiary is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all or a portion of such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender offer or exchange offer had not been made or had been made only in respect of the purchases that have been effected.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 14.04 or any other provision of this Indenture or the Notes, if a Conversion Rate adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Dividend Date and a Holder that has converted its Notes on or after such Ex-Dividend Date and on or prior to the related Record Date would be treated as the record holder of shares of Common Stock as of the related Conversion Date as described under Section 14.02(h) based on an adjusted Conversion Rate for such Ex-Dividend Date, then, notwithstanding the Conversion Rate adjustment provisions in this Section 14.04, the Conversion Rate adjustment relating to such Ex-Dividend Date shall not be made for such converting Holder. Instead, such Holder shall be treated as if such Holder were the record owner of shares of Common Stock on an unadjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
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(g) All calculations and other determinations under this Article 14 shall be made by the Company and all adjustments to the Conversion Rate shall be made to the nearest one-ten thousandth (1/10,000th) of a share of Common Stock. In no event will the Conversion Rate be adjusted such that the Conversion Price shall be less than the par value per share of Common Stock. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 14 to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to adjust the Conversion Rate unless the adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% to the Conversion Rate. However, the Company shall carry forward any adjustment that is less than 1% of the Conversion Rate, take such carried-forward adjustments into account in any subsequent adjustment, and make such carried-forward adjustments, regardless of whether the aggregate adjustment is less than 1%, (i) annually on the anniversary of the Issue Date, (ii) in the case of any Note to which Physical Settlement applies, upon the Conversion Date, (iii) in the case of any Note to which Cash Settlement or Combination Settlement applies, on each VWAP Trading Day of the applicable Observation Period, (iv) on the date of a Notice of Redemption and (v) on the Effective Date of any Fundamental Change or Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
(h) In addition to those adjustments required by clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 14.04, and to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any amount for a period of at least 20 Business Days if the Company’s Board of Directors determines that such increase would be in the Company’s best interest. In addition, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Company may also (but is not required to) increase the Conversion Rate to avoid or diminish any income tax to the holders of the Common Stock or rights to purchase shares of Common Stock in connection with a dividend or distribution of shares (or rights to acquire shares) or similar event. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences, the Company shall send to the Holder of each Note at its last address appearing on the Note Register a notice of the increase at least 15 days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.
(i) Except as stated herein, the Company shall not adjust the Conversion Rate for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock or the right to purchase shares of Common Stock or such convertible or exchangeable securities. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 14, the Conversion Rate shall not be adjusted:
(i) upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on the Company’s securities and the investment of additional optional amounts in shares of Common Stock under any plan;
(ii) upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase those shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
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(iii) upon the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant (including the warrant transactions entered into in connection with the Existing Exchangeable Notes), right or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security not described in clause (ii) of this subsection and outstanding as of the Issue Date;
(iv) for ordinary course of business stock repurchases that are not tender or exchange offers referred to in Section 14.04(e), including structured or derivative transactions or pursuant to a repurchase program approved by the Company’s Board of Directors;
(v) solely for a change in the par value of the Common Stock; or
(vi) for accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
(j) [Reserved]
(k) Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee (and the Conversion Agent if not the Trustee) an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the Conversion Rate after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment. Unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment of the Conversion Rate and may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which it has knowledge is still in effect. Promptly after delivery of such certificate, the Company shall prepare a notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate and the date on which each adjustment becomes effective and shall send such notice of such adjustment of the Conversion Rate to each Holder at its last address appearing on the Note Register of this Indenture. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any such adjustment.
(l) [Reserved]
(m) For purposes of this Section 14.04, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company, so long as the Company does not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company, but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.
Section 14.05. Adjustments of Prices. Whenever any provision of this Indenture requires the Company to calculate the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts over a span of multiple days (including, without limitation, an Observation Period and the period for determining the Stock Price for purposes of a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Notice of Redemption), the Company shall make appropriate adjustments, in good faith, to each to account for any adjustment to the Conversion Rate that becomes effective, or any event requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Rate where the Ex-Dividend Date, effective date or Expiration Date of the event occurs at any time during the period when the Last Reported Sale Prices, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values or the Daily Settlement Amounts or Stock Prices are to be calculated.
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Section 14.06. Shares To Be Fully Reserved. The Company shall have reserved and provide, free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued shares, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock convertible under the Notes (including the maximum number of Additional Shares that could be included in the Conversion Rate for a conversion in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change or a Notice of Redemption).
Section 14.07. Effect of Recapitalizations, Reclassifications and Changes of the Common Stock.
(a) In the case of:
(i) any recapitalization, reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other than changes in par value or resulting from a subdivision or combination);
(ii) any consolidation, merger or other combination involving the Company; or
(iii) any sale, lease or other transfer or disposition to a third party of all or substantially all of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ consolidated assets, taken as a whole; or
(iv) any statutory share exchange,
in each case, as a result of which the Common Stock would be converted into, or exchanged for stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof) (any such event, a “Specified Corporate Event” and any such stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination thereof), “Reference Property” and the amount of Reference Property that a holder of one share of Common Stock immediately prior to such Specified Corporate Event would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such Specified Corporate Event, a “Unit of Reference Property”), then the Company, or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, will execute with the Trustee a supplemental indenture, which supplemental indenture shall not require the consent of the Holders, providing that, at and after the effective time of the Specified Corporate Event, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes for shares of Common Stock will be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes for the kind and amount of Reference Property that a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate immediately prior to such Specified Corporate Event would have been entitled to receive upon such Specified Corporate Event; provided, however, that at and after the effective time of the Specified Corporate Event:
(A) the Company shall continue to have the right to determine the form of consideration to be paid or delivered, as the case may be, upon conversion of Notes in accordance with Section 14.02; and
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(B) (I) any amount payable in cash upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall continue to be payable in cash, (II) any shares of Common Stock that would have been issuable upon conversion of the Notes in accordance with Section 14.02 shall instead be deliverable in the Units of Reference Property that a holder of that number of shares of Common Stock would have received in such Specified Corporate Event and (III) the Daily VWAP shall be calculated based on the value of a Unit of Reference Property; provided, however, that if the holders of the Common Stock receive only cash in such Specified Corporate Event, then for all conversions that occur after the effective date of such Specified Corporate Event (x) the consideration due upon conversions of each $1,000 principal aggregate amount of Notes shall be solely cash in an amount equal to the Conversion Rate in effect on the Conversion Date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares pursuant to Section 14.03), multiplied by the price paid per share of Common Stock in such Specified Corporate Event and (y) the Company shall satisfy the Conversion Obligation by paying such cash to the converting Holder on the second Business Day immediately following the Conversion Date.
If the Specified Corporate Event causes the Common Stock to be converted into, or exchanged for, the right to receive more than a single type of consideration (determined based in part upon any form of stockholder election), then the Reference Property into which the Notes shall be convertible shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by the holders of the Common Stock. The Company shall notify Holders, the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) in writing of the weighted average as soon as practicable after such determination.
Such supplemental indenture described in the second immediately preceding paragraph shall provide for anti-dilution and other adjustments that shall be as nearly equivalent as is possible to the adjustments provided for in this Article 14. If the Reference Property in respect of any Specified Corporate Event includes shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (other than cash) (including any combination thereof) of an entity other than the Company or the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such Specified Corporate Event, then such other entity, if it is party to such Specified Corporate Event, shall also execute such supplemental indenture, and such supplemental indenture shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders, including the right of Holders to require the Company to repurchase their Notes upon a Fundamental Change in accordance with Article 15, as the Board of Directors of the Company shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing.
(b) In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 14.07(a), the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of cash, securities or other assets (including any combination thereof) that will comprise the Reference Property after any such Specified Corporate Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and shall promptly send notice thereof to all Holders. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of such supplemental indenture to be sent to each Holder, at its address appearing on the Note Register provided for in this Indenture, within 20 days after execution thereof. Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the legality or validity of such supplemental indenture.
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(c) If the Notes become convertible into Reference Property, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing and the Company shall issue a press release containing the relevant information and publish the information on its website or through such other public medium as it may use at that time.
(d) The Company shall not become a party to any Specified Corporate Event unless its terms are consistent with this Section 14.07. None of the foregoing provisions shall affect the right of a Holder to convert its Notes into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, as applicable, as set forth in Section 14.01 and Section 14.02 prior to the effective date of such Specified Corporate Event.
(e) In connection with any adjustment to the Conversion Rate described in this Section 14.07, the Company shall also adjust the Initial Dividend Threshold based on the number of shares of common stock comprising the Reference Property and (if applicable) the value of any non-stock consideration comprising the Reference Property. If the Reference Property is composed solely of non-stock consideration, the Initial Dividend Threshold shall be zero.
(f) The above provisions of this Section shall similarly apply to successive Specified Corporate Events.
Section 14.08. Certain Covenants.
(a) The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Notes shall be duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable and free from all preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of the Company and free from all taxes, liens, charges and adverse claims as the result of any action by the Company.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) The Company shall comply with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws regulating the offer and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes, including that if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for the purpose of conversion of Notes hereunder require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any U.S. federal or state law before such shares of Common Stock may be validly issued upon conversion, the Company shall, to the extent then permitted by the rules and interpretations of the Commission, secure such registration or approval, as the case may be.
(d) The Company further covenants that if at any time the Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Company shall list and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
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Section 14.09. Responsibility of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine the Conversion Rate (or any adjustment thereto) or whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment (including any increase) of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same. The Trustee and any other Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities, property or cash that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any Note; and the Trustee and any other Conversion Agent make no representations with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Article. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section 14.07 relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by Holders upon the conversion of their Notes after any event referred to in such Section 14.07 or to any adjustment to be made with respect thereto, but, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, may accept (without any independent investigation) as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officer’s Certificate (which the Company shall be obligated to furnish to the Trustee prior to the execution of any such supplemental indenture) with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall be responsible for determining whether any event contemplated by Section 14.01(b) has occurred that makes the Notes eligible for conversion or no longer eligible therefor until the Company has delivered to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent the notices referred to in Section 14.01(b) with respect to the commencement or termination of such conversion rights, on which notices the Trustee and the Conversion Agent may conclusively rely, and the Company agrees to deliver such notices to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent immediately after the occurrence of any such event or at such other times as shall be provided for in Section 14.01(b). The parties hereto agree that all notices to the Trustee or the Conversion Agent under this Article 14 shall be in writing.
(b) The Conversion Agent will open a non-interest bearing account in the name of the Company in relation to its Settlement Method.
Section 14.10. Notice to Holders Prior to Certain Actions. In case of any:
(a) Specified Corporate Event or any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all assets in accordance with Article 11; or
(b) voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company;
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then, in each case (unless notice of such event is otherwise required pursuant to another provision of this Indenture), the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Trustee and the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to be sent to each Holder at its address appearing on the Note Register, as promptly as possible but in any event at least 20 days prior to the date on which such Specified Corporate Event, any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all assets in accordance with Article 11, or any dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is expected to become effective or occur, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such Specified Corporate Event, consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all assets in accordance with Article 11, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up; provided, however, that if on such date, the Company does not have knowledge of such event or the adjusted Conversion Rate cannot be calculated, the Company shall deliver such notice as promptly as practicable upon obtaining knowledge of such event or information sufficient to make such calculation, as the case may be, and in no event later than the effective date of such adjustment. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such action by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, Specified Corporate Event, or any consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, lease, conveyance or other transfer or disposition of all or substantially all assets in accordance with Article 11, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up.
Section 14.11. Stockholder Rights Plans. If the Company has a shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes, Holders that convert their Notes shall receive, in addition to any shares of Common Stock received in connection with such conversion, the appropriate number of rights under such rights agreement or rights plan, if any, and any certificate representing the shares of Common Stock issued upon such conversion shall bear such legends, if any, in each case as may be provided by the terms of any such rights agreement or rights plan, as the same may be amended from time to time. However, if prior to any conversion, the rights have separated from the shares of Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of the applicable shareholder’s rights agreement or rights plan (a “Separation Event”), the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted at the time of separation as if the Company distributed to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, Distributed Property pursuant to Section 14.04(c), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Article
15
Repurchase of Notes at Option of Holders
Section 15.01. Intentionally Omitted.
Section 15.02. Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon a Fundamental Change. (a) If a Fundamental Change occurs at any time prior to the Maturity Date, each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes, or any portion of the principal thereof that is equal to an Authorized Denomination, on the date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Date”) specified by the Company that is not less than 20 or more than 35 Business Days following the date of the Fundamental Change Company Notice (subject to extension if required to comply with law), at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Price”), unless the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the Interest Payment Date to which such Regular Record Date relates, in which case the Company shall instead pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to Holders of record as of such Regular Record Date, and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased pursuant to this Article 15.
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(b) Repurchase of Notes under this Section 15.02 shall be made, at the option of the Holder thereof, upon:
(i) delivery to the Paying Agent by a Holder of a duly completed notice (the “Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice”) in the form set forth in Attachment 2 to the Form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A, if the Notes are Certificated Notes, or in compliance with the Applicable Procedures for surrendering interests in Global Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in each case, on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; and
(ii) delivery of the Notes, if the Notes are Certificated Notes, to the Paying Agent on or before the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (together with all necessary endorsements for transfer) at the Corporate Trust Office of the Paying Agent, or book-entry transfer of the Notes, if the Notes are Global Notes, in compliance with the Applicable Procedures, in each case, such delivery being a condition to receipt by the Holder of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price therefor.
The Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in respect of any Notes to be repurchased shall state:
(A) in the case of Certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be delivered for repurchase;
(B) the portion of the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased, which must be a minimum of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; and
(C) that the Notes are to be repurchased by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Notes and this Indenture;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice must comply with the Applicable Procedures.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to the Paying Agent the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice contemplated by this Section 15.02 shall have the right to withdraw, in whole or in part, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 15.03.
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If a Holder has already delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect to a Note, such Holder may not surrender such Note for conversion until such Holder has validly withdrawn such Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (or, in the case of a Global Note, has complied with the Applicable Procedures with respect to such a withdrawal) in accordance with the terms of Section 15.03.
The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
(c) On or before the 20th Business Day after the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Company shall provide to all Holders of Notes and the Trustee and the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) a written notice (the “Fundamental Change Company Notice”) of the occurrence of the Fundamental Change and of the repurchase right at the option of the Holders arising as a result thereof. Each Fundamental Change Company Notice shall specify:
(i) the events causing the Fundamental Change;
(ii) the date of the Fundamental Change;
(iii) the last date on which a Holder may exercise the repurchase right pursuant to this Article 15;
(iv) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;
(v) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;
(vi) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;
(vii) the Conversion Rate and any adjustments to the Conversion Rate;
(viii) that the Notes with respect to which a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice has been delivered by a Holder may be converted only if the Holder withdraws the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (or, in the case of a Global Note, complies with the Applicable Procedures with respect to such a withdrawal);
(ix) the procedures that Holders must follow to require the Company to repurchase their Notes; and
(x) the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Notes.
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Simultaneously with providing such Fundamental Change Company Notice, the Company shall issue a press release containing the information in such Fundamental Change Company Notice and publish the information on its website or through such other public medium as the Company may use at that time.
At the Company’s written request, the Trustee shall give such notice in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that, in all cases, the text of such Fundamental Change Company Notice shall be prepared by the Company. In such a case, the Company shall deliver such notice to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the date that the notice is required to be given to the Holders (unless a shorter notice period shall be agreed to by the Trustee), together with an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice.
Such notice shall be delivered to the Trustee, to the Paying Agent (if other than the Trustee) and to each Holder at its address shown in the Note Register (and to the beneficial owner as required by applicable law) or, in the case of Global Notes, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect therein shall limit the Holders’ repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 15.02.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes may be repurchased by the Company on any date at the option of the Holders in connection with a Fundamental Change if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes). The Paying Agent will promptly return to the respective Holders thereof any Certificated Notes held by it during the acceleration of the Notes (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price with respect to such Notes), or any instructions for book-entry transfer of the Notes in compliance with the Applicable Procedures shall be deemed to have been cancelled, and, upon such return or cancellation, as the case may be, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to repurchase, or to make an offer to repurchase, the Notes upon a Fundamental Change:
(i) if a third party makes such an offer in the same manner, at same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company pursuant to this Article 15 and such third party purchases all Notes properly surrendered and not validly withdrawn under its offer in the same manner, at the same time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Company on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date; or
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(ii) pursuant to clause (b) of the definition thereof (or a Fundamental Change pursuant to clause (a) that also results in a Fundamental Change pursuant to clause (b)), if (A) such Fundamental Change results in the Notes becoming convertible (pursuant to the provisions described in Section 14.07) into an amount of cash per Note that is greater than the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price (assuming the maximum amount of accrued interest would be payable based on the latest possible Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) and (B) the Company provides timely notice of the Holders’ right to convert their Notes based on such Fundamental Change as described in Section 14.01(b)(iii) (the requirements set forth in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 15.02(e)(ii), the “Adequate Cash Conversion Provisions”).
Section 15.03. Withdrawal of Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice. A Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice may be withdrawn (in whole or in part) by means of a written notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent in accordance with this Section 15.03 at any time prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, specifying:
(a) the principal amount of the Notes with respect to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, which portion must be in an Authorized Denomination,
(b) if Certificated Notes have been issued, the certificate number of the Notes in respect of which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and
(c) the principal amount, if any, of such Notes that remains subject to the original Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice, which portion must be in an Authorized Denomination;
provided, however, that if the Notes are Global Notes, the withdrawal notice must comply with the Applicable Procedures.
Section 15.04. Deposit of Fundamental Change Repurchase Price(a). (a) The Company shall deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04) on or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date an amount of money sufficient to repurchase all of the Notes to be repurchased at the appropriate Fundamental Change Repurchase Price. Subject to receipt of funds by the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company), payment for Notes surrendered for repurchase (and not validly withdrawn prior to the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) will be made on the later of (i) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date with respect to such Note (provided the Holder has satisfied the conditions in Section 15.02) and (ii) the time of book-entry transfer or the delivery of such Note to the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 15.02, by mailing checks for the amount payable to the Holders of such Notes entitled thereto as they shall appear in the Note Register; provided, however, that payments to the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account of the Depositary or its nominee. The Trustee shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
(b) If by 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) holds money sufficient to make payment on all the Notes or portions thereof that are to be repurchased on such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or any applicable extension thereof, then, with respect to Notes that have been properly surrendered for repurchase and not validly withdrawn:
(i) such Notes shall cease to be outstanding and interest shall cease to accrue on such Notes on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or any applicable extension thereof (whether or not book-entry transfer of the Notes has been made or the Notes have been delivered to the Trustee or Paying Agent); and
(ii) all other rights of the Holders of such Notes will terminate on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (other than (x) the right to receive the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and (y) if the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, the right of the Holder on such Regular Record Date to receive the accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date).
(c) Upon surrender of a Note that is to be repurchased in part pursuant to Section 15.02, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder a new Note in an Authorized Denomination equal in principal amount to the portion of the Note surrendered that is not to be repurchased, without payment of any service charge.
Section 15.05. Covenant to Comply with Applicable Laws Upon Repurchase of Notes. In connection with any repurchase offer, the Company will, if required:
(a) comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act that may then be applicable;
(b) file a Schedule TO or any other required schedule under the Exchange Act; and
(c) otherwise comply in all material respects with all federal and state securities laws in connection with any offer by the Company to repurchase the Notes;
in each case, so as to permit the rights and obligations under this Article 15 to be exercised in the time and in the manner specified in this Article 15, subject to extension if required to comply with law. To the extent that any securities laws and regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the repurchase of Notes, the Company is required to comply with such securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to be in breach of this Indenture as a result thereof.
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Article
16
Redemption
Section 16.01. Right of the Company to Redeem the Notes. The Notes shall not be redeemable by the Company prior to the Maturity Date, except as described in this Article 16, and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
(a) Subject to the terms of this Article 16, the Company may redeem all, or any portion in an Authorized Denomination, of the Notes, for cash equal to the Redemption Price, at any time and from time to time, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that such redemption is necessary to preserve the Company’s status as a REIT. The Company may not otherwise redeem the Notes at any time before December 8, 2025.
(b)
(c) Subject to the terms of this Article 16, the Company has the right, at its election, to redeem all, or any portion in an Authorized Denomination, of the Notes (subject to the Partial Redemption Limitation), for cash equal to the Redemption Price, at any time and from time to time, on a Redemption Date on or after December 8, 2025 and prior to the 42nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, if the Last Reported Sale Price per share of the Common Stock has been at least 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 Trading Days (whether or not consecutive), including the Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Notice Date, during any 30 consecutive Trading Day period ending on, and including, the Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Notice Date (each such redemption, a “Sale Price Redemption”).
(d) If the applicable Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date but on or prior to the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, the Company will pay, on or prior to such Interest Payment Date, the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest to the Holder as of the close of business of such Regular Record Date (assuming, solely for these purposes, that such Note remained outstanding through such Interest Payment Date, if such Redemption Date is before such Interest Payment Date) and the Redemption Price shall be equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed.
Section 16.02. Notice of Redemption.
(a) To call any Notes for Redemption pursuant to Section 16.01, the Company shall fix a date for Redemption (a “Redemption Date”) and the Company shall or, at its written request received by the Trustee not less than five Business Days prior to the date on which notice is sent to the Holders (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), the Trustee shall, in the name of and at the expense of the Company, send or cause to be sent a notice of such Redemption (a “Notice of Redemption”) not less than 30 nor more than 60 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes so to be redeemed at its last address as the same appears on the Note Register; provided, however, that if the Company shall give a Notice of Redemption, it shall also give a written notice of the Redemption Date to the Trustee and the Paying Agent. The Company shall issue a press release through such national newswire service as the Company then uses containing the information set forth in the Notice of Redemption. A Redemption Date must be a Business Day of the Company’s choosing that is no more than sixty (60), nor less than thirty (30), days after the Redemption Notice Date.
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(b) A Notice of Redemption, if delivered in the manner provided herein, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given duly, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such Notice of Redemption or any defect in the Notice of Redemption to the Holder of any Note designated for Redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the Redemption of any other Note.
(c) Each Notice of Redemption shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and specify:
(i) that the Notes have been called for Redemption, briefly describing the Company’s Redemption rights under this Indenture;
(ii) the Redemption Date for such Redemption;
(iii) the Redemption Price per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such Redemption (and the amount, manner and timing of any interest payment payable pursuant to Section 16.01(c));
(iv) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;
(v) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof shall be issued;
(vi) that Notes called for Redemption must be delivered to the Paying Agent (in the case of Certificated Notes) or the Applicable Procedures must be complied with (in the case of beneficial interests in Global Notes) for the Holder thereof to be entitled to receive the Redemption Price;
(vii) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each Note to be redeemed, and that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, the interest thereon, if any, shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date that is prior to the Redemption Date to receive interest payable pursuant to Section 16.01(c));
(viii) that Holders of Called Notes may surrender their Called Notes for conversion at any time from the date of the Notice of Redemption to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date or, if the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price, such later date on which the Company pays or duly provides for the Redemption Price;
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(ix) the procedures a converting Holder must follow to convert its Called Notes and, if the Company chooses to elect a Settlement Method for any such conversions, the relevant Settlement Method;
(x) the Conversion Rate and, if applicable, the number of shares of Common Stock added to the Conversion Rate in accordance with Section 16.06; and
(xi) the CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers, if any, assigned to such Notes.
A Notice of Redemption shall be irrevocable. In the case of a Redemption, a Holder may convert any or all of its Called Notes at any time from the date of the Notice of Redemption to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date or, if the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price, such later date on which the Company pays or duly provides for the Redemption Price.
(d) If the Company elects to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Notes in a Sale Price Redemption, at least $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes must be outstanding and not subject to such Sale Price Redemption as of the date of the relevant Notice of Redemption (such requirement, the “Partial Redemption Limitation”).
Section 16.03. Payment of Notes Called for Redemption.
(a) If any Notice of Redemption has been given in respect of the Notes in accordance with Section 16.02, the Notes shall become due and payable on the applicable Redemption Date at the place or places stated in the Notice of Redemption and at the applicable Redemption Price. On presentation and surrender of the Notes at the place or places stated in the Notice of Redemption, the Notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price.
(b) Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company, or if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 4.04) an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of all of the Notes to be redeemed on such Redemption Date. Subject to receipt of funds by the Paying Agent, payment for the Notes to be redeemed shall be made on the Redemption Date for such Notes. The Trustee (or other Paying Agent appointed by the Company) shall, promptly after such payment and upon written demand by the Company, return to the Company any funds in excess of the Redemption Price.
Section 16.04. Selection, Conversion and Transfer of Notes to be Redeemed in Part. If less than all Notes then outstanding are called for Redemption, then:
(a) the Notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee as follows: (1) in the case of Global Notes, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures; and (2) in the case of Certificated Notes, by lot or pro rata; and
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(b) if only a portion of a Note is subject to Redemption or a Deemed Redemption and such Note is converted in part, then the converted portion of such Note will be deemed to be from the portion of such Note that was subject to the Redemption or Deemed Redemption.
In the event of any Redemption, the Company shall not be required to (x) issue, register the transfer of or convert any Notes during the 15 calendar day period prior to the relevant Redemption Notice Date or (y) register the transfer of or exchange any Notes so selected for Redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Notes being redeemed in part.
Section 16.05. Restrictions on Redemption. The Company may not redeem any Notes on any date if the principal amount of the Notes has been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and such acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the Redemption Date (or, if the Company fails to pay the Redemption Price, such later date on which the Company pays the Redemption Price) (except in the case of an acceleration resulting from a Default by the Company in the payment of the Redemption Price with respect to such Notes). The Company shall not send a Notice of Redemption so long as a Registration Default exists and is continuing.
Section 16.06. Increased Conversion Rate Applicable to Certain Notes Called for Redemption Surrendered for Conversion in Connection with a Redemption.
(a) If a Holder elects to convert its Called Notes in connection with a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v) and this Article 16, the Conversion Rate will be increased by a number of Additional Shares as described in this Section 16.06. A conversion of Notes shall be deemed to be “in connection with” a Notice of Redemption if such Notes are Called Notes with respect to such Notice of Redemption and the relevant Conversion Date occurs during the period from, and including, the date of issuance of a Notice of Redemption with respect to such Notes until the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the related Redemption Date (or, if the Company defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price, until the Redemption Price has been paid or duly provided for) (any such period, a “Redemption Period”). For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company elects to redeem less than all of the outstanding Notes pursuant to Article 16, Holders of the Notes that are not Called Notes with respect to the relevant Notice of Redemption shall not be entitled to convert such Notes pursuant to Section 14.01(b)(v) on account of such Notice of Redemption and shall not be entitled to an increased Conversion Rate for conversions of such Notes (on account of the Notice of Redemption) during the applicable Redemption Period if such Notes are otherwise convertible.
(b) The number of Additional Shares, if any, by which the Conversion Rate shall be increased pursuant to this Section 16.06 if a Holder elects to convert its Called Notes in connection with a Notice of Redemption shall be determined by reference to the table set forth in Section 14.03(e) based on the Redemption Notice Date and the Redemption Reference Price, but determined for purposes of this Section 16.06 as if (i) the Holder had elected to convert its Called Notes in connection with a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, (ii) the Redemption Notice Date were the Effective Date of the relevant Make-Whole Fundamental Change and (iii) the Redemption Reference Price were the Stock Price in respect of such Make-Whole Fundamental Change.
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Article
17
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 17.01. Provisions Binding on Company’s and the Guarantors’ Successors. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements of each of the Company and the Guarantors contained in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.
Section 17.02. Official Acts by Successor Entity. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or Officer of the Company or a Guarantor shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any corporation or other entity that shall at the time be the lawful sole successor of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Section 17.03. Addresses for Notices, Etc. Any notice or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders on the Company or any Guarantor shall be in writing (including facsimile and electronic mail in PDF format) and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed (until another address is furnished by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee) c/o Uniti Group Inc., 2101 Riverfront Drive, Suite A, Little Rock, Arkansas 72202, Attention: General Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or demand hereunder to or upon the Trustee shall be in writing (including facsimile and electronic mail in PDF format) and shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or served by being deposited postage prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed to the Corporate Trust Office.
The Trustee, by notice to the Company, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Certificated Notes shall be mailed to it by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Note Register and shall be sufficiently given to it if so mailed within the time prescribed. Any notice or communication delivered or to be delivered to a Holder of Global Notes shall be delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary and shall be sufficiently given to it if so delivered within the time prescribed.
Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice to Holders by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
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In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 17.04. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, EACH NOTE AND EACH GUARANTEE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE, EACH NOTE AND EACH GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 17.05. Intentionally Omitted.
Section 17.06. Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent; Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to Trustee. Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of the signors, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied.
Each Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel provided for, by or on behalf of the Company in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with this Indenture (other than the Officer’s Certificates provided for in Section 4.09) shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement contained in such certificate is based; (iii) a statement that, in the judgment of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the judgment of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 17.06, if any provision in this Indenture specifically provides that the Trustee shall or may receive an Opinion of Counsel in connection with any action to be taken by the Trustee or the Company hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to such Opinion of Counsel.
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Section 17.07. Legal Holidays. If any Interest Payment Date, any Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, any Redemption Date or the Maturity Date is not a Business Day, then any action to be taken on such date need not be taken on such date, but may be taken on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on such date, and no interest shall accrue in respect of the delay.
Section 17.08. No Security Interest Created. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.
Section 17.09. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any Custodian, any Bid Solicitation Agent, any Conversion Agent, any authenticating agent, any Note Registrar and their successors hereunder or the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 17.10. Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 17.11. Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent that shall be authorized to act on its behalf and subject to its direction in the authentication and delivery of Notes in connection with the original issuance thereof and transfers and exchanges of Notes hereunder, including under Section 2.04, Section 2.05, Section 2.06, Section 2.07, Section 10.04 and Section 15.04 as fully to all intents and purposes as though the authenticating agent had been expressly authorized by this Indenture and those Sections to authenticate and deliver Notes. For all purposes of this Indenture, the authentication and delivery of Notes by the authenticating agent shall be deemed to be authentication and delivery of such Notes “by the Trustee” and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an authenticating agent shall be deemed to satisfy any requirement hereunder or in the Notes for the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. Such authenticating agent shall at all times be a Person eligible to serve as trustee hereunder pursuant to Section 7.08.
Any corporation or other entity into which any authenticating agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any authenticating agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of any authenticating agent, shall be the successor of the authenticating agent hereunder, if such successor corporation or other entity is otherwise eligible under this Section 17.11, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or the authenticating agent or such successor corporation or other entity.
Any authenticating agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of any authenticating agent by giving written notice of termination to such authenticating agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any authenticating agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor authenticating agent (which may be the Trustee), shall give written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such appointment to all Holders as the names and addresses of such Holders appear on the Note Register.
100
The Company agrees to pay to the authenticating agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services although the Company may terminate the authenticating agent, if it determines such agent’s fees to be unreasonable.
The provisions of Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 7.06, Section 8.03 and this Section 17.11 shall be applicable to any authenticating agent.
If an authenticating agent is appointed pursuant to this Section 17.11, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:
__________________________,
as Authenticating Agent, certifies that this is one of the Notes described
in the within-named Indenture.
By: ____________________
Authorized Officer
Section 17.12. Execution in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 17.13. Severability. In the event any provision of this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
Section 17.14. Waiver of Jury Trial; Submission of Jurisdiction. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE 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 GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE GUARANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES, AND IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.
101
Section 17.15. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, any act or provision of present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, labor disputes, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics or pandemics, disease, quarantine, national emergency, 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 and hardware) services, communication system failure, malware or ransomware, the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire, telex or other communication or wire facility, or unavailability of any securities clearing system; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 17.16. Calculations. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under the Notes or this Indenture. These calculations include, but are not limited to, determinations of the Stock Price or Trading Price, the Last Reported Sale Prices per share of Common Stock, the Redemption Price, the Redemption Reference Price, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, the Conversion Price, the Daily VWAPs, the Daily Conversion Values, the Daily Settlement Amounts, accrued interest payable on the Notes (including Additional Interest and Registration Default Additional Interest) and the Conversion Rate of the Notes. The Company shall make all these calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, such calculations shall be final and binding on Holders of Notes. The Company shall provide a schedule of its calculations to each of the Trustee and the Conversion Agent, and each of the Trustee and Conversion Agent is entitled to rely conclusively upon the accuracy of such calculations without independent verification. The Trustee will forward the Company’s calculations to any Holder of Notes upon the written request of that Holder at the sole cost and expense of the Company. In no event shall the Trustee or the Conversion Agent be charged with knowledge of or have any duty to monitor Stock Price or Observation Period. Neither the Trustee nor the Conversion Agent shall have any liability or responsibility for calculations, information relating to any calculation or determinations of amounts (other than as expressly provided with respect to its role as Bid Solicitation Agent), determining whether events requiring or permitting conversions have occurred, determining whether any adjustment is required to be made with respect to conversion rights and, if so, how much, or for the delivery of shares of Common Stock.
Section 17.17. U.S.A. Patriot Act. In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, pursuant to Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, record and up-date certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee. Accordingly, each of the parties agrees to provide to the Trustee, upon its re-quest from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee to comply with the Applicable Law.
102
Section 17.18. Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto or by virtue of the relevant Holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements in respect of the Notes, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax.
Section 17.19. Electronic Signatures. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of similar import in this Indenture and the Notes shall be deemed to include electronic or digital signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same effect, validity, and enforceability as manually executed signatures or a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for under applicable law, including the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000 (15 U.S.C. §§7001-7006), the Electronic Signatures and Records Act of 1999 (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee.
Section 17.20. Electronic Means. The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means (as hereinafter defined); provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Officers”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee immediately upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures. “Electronic Means” shall mean the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.
103
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
ISSUER:
UNITI GROUP INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |
Name: Daniel Heard | ||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
104 [Signature Page to Indenture]
GUARANTORS:
CONTACT NETWORK, LLC CSL ALABAMA SYSTEM, LLC CSL ARKANSAS SYSTEM, LLC CSL CAPITAL, LLC CSL FLORIDA SYSTEM, LLC CSL IOWA SYSTEM, LLC CSL KENTUCKY SYSTEM, LLC CSL MISSISSIPPI SYSTEM, LLC CSL MISSOURI SYSTEM, LLC CSL NATIONAL GP, LLC CSL NEW MEXICO SYSTEM, LLC CSL NORTH CAROLINA REALTY GP, LLC CSL OHIO SYSTEM, LLC CSL OKLAHOMA SYSTEM, LLC CSL REALTY, LLC CSL TENNESSEE REALTY PARTNER, LLC CSL TENNESSEE REALTY, LLC CSL TEXAS SYSTEM, LLC HUNT TELECOMMUNICATIONS, LLC INFORMATION TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS, LLC NEXUS SYSTEMS, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH DC, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH DE, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH LA, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH MS, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH TX, LLC PEG BANDWIDTH VA, LLC UNITI FIBER 2020 LLC UNITI FIBER HOLDINGS INC. UNITI FIBER LLC UNITI GROUP FINANCE INC. UNITI GROUP FINANCE 2019 INC. UNITI GROUP HOLDCO LLC UNITI LEASING LLC UNITI LEASING X LLC UNITI LEASING XI LLC UNITI LEASING XII LLC UNITI TOWERS NMS HOLDINGS LLC, each as a Guarantor | ||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |
Name: Daniel Heard | ||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
105 [Signature Page to Indenture]
CSL NATIONAL, LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: CSL NATIONAL GP, LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
CSL North CAROLINA REALTY, LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: CSL NORTH CAROLINA REALTY GP, LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
CSL NORTH CAROLINA SYSTEM, LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: CSL NORTH CAROLINA REALTY GP, LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
Uniti Holdings LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: UNITI HOLDINGS GP LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
106 [Signature Page to Indenture]
UNITI GROUP LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: UNITI GROUP INC., as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
UNITI LATAM LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: UNITI LATAM GP LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
107 [Signature Page to Indenture]
UNITI QRS Holdings LP, as a Guarantor | ||||
By: UNITI QRS Holdings GP LLC, as its general partner | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Heard | |||
Name: Daniel Heard | ||||
Title: EVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
By: | /s/ Robert Peschler | |
Name: Robert Peschler | ||
Title: Vice President |
By: | /s/ Irina Golovashchuk | |
Name: Irina Golovashchuk | ||
Title: Vice President |
108 [Signature Page to Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A GLOBAL NOTE]
[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), 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 IN 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.]
[INCLUDE FOLLOWING LEGEND IF A RESTRICTED SECURITY:
THIS SECURITY AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, IF ANY, ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER:
(1) REPRESENTS THAT IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT AND THAT IT AND ANY SUCH ACCOUNT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF UNITI GROUP INC., AND
(2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNITI GROUP INC. (THE “COMPANY”) THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT:
(A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF,
(B) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY, OR
(C) FOLLOWING THE COMPANY’S ELECTIVE REMOVAL OF THIS RESTRICTIVE LEGEND, PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION
Exhibit A-1
PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF AVAILABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE, THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
NO AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY AND NO PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AN AFFILIATE (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY DURING THE THREE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING MONTHS MAY PURCHASE, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR OWN THIS SECURITY OR A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.]
Exhibit A-2
UNITI GROUP
INC.
7.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2027
No. A-[ ] [Initially]1 $[ ]
CUSIP No. [ ]
Uniti Group Inc., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation or other entity under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]2 [__________]3, or registered assigns, the principal amount [as set forth in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Notes” attached hereto]4 [of $[ ]]5 or such other amount as reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and the Depositary, on December 1, 2027 and interest thereon as set forth below.
This Note shall bear interest at the rate of 7.50% per year from December 12, 2022 or from the most recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for to, but excluding, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date until December 1, 2027, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Accrued interest on this Note shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months and, for a partial month, on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed in a 30-day month. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each June 1 and December 1, commencing on June 1, 2023, to Holders of record at the close of business on the preceding May 15 or November 15 (whether or not such day is a Business Day), respectively. Additional Interest will be payable as set forth in Section 4.06(d) and Section 6.03 of the within-mentioned Indenture, and any reference to interest on, or in respect of, any Note therein shall be deemed to include Additional Interest if, in such context, Additional Interest is, was or would be payable pursuant to any of such Section 4.06(d) or Section 6.03, and any express mention of the payment of Additional Interest in any provision therein and herein shall not be construed as excluding Additional Interest in those provisions thereof and hereof where such express mention is not made.
Any Defaulted Amounts shall accrue interest per annum at the rate borne by the Notes from, and including, the relevant payment date to, but excluding, the date on which such Defaulted Amounts shall have been paid by the Company, at its election in accordance with Section 2.03(c) of the Indenture.
The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on this Note, so long as such Note is a Global Note, in immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered Holder of such Note. As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Company shall pay the principal of any Notes (other than Notes that are Global
___________________________
1 Include if a global note.
2 Include if a global note.
3 Include if a certificated note.
4 Include if a global note.
5 Include if a certificated note.
Exhibit A-3
Notes) upon presentation thereof at the office or agency designated by the Company for that purpose. The Company has initially designated the Trustee as its Paying Agent and Note Registrar in respect of the Notes and its agency in the continental United States as a place where Notes may be presented for payment or for registration of transfer.
Upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall, at its election, pay or issue, as the case may be, cash, shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.
Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.
This Note, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Note, shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
In the case of any conflict between this Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control and govern.
This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
Exhibit A-4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed.
UNITI GROUP INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Dated:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee,
certifies that this is one of the Notes described
in the within-named Indenture.
By:_______________________________
Authorized Signatory
Exhibit A-5
[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]
UNITI GROUP
INC.
7.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2027
This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company, designated as its 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”), limited to the aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 (as increased by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of any additional Notes purchased by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the exercise of their option to purchase additional Notes as set forth in the Purchase Agreement) all issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of December 12, 2022 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “Trustee”), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Conversion Agent, the Company and the Holders of the Notes. Additional Notes may be issued in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture. The Notes represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed hereon and the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented hereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect repurchases, Redemptions, cancellations, conversions, transfers or exchanges permitted by the Indenture.
In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes may be declared, by either the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, and upon said declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions and certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture. In the case certain Events of Default relating to a bankruptcy (or similar proceeding) with respect to the Company shall have occurred, the principal of, and interest on, all Notes shall automatically become immediately due and payable, as set forth in the Indenture.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture, the Company will make all payments and deliveries in respect of the Redemption Price on a Redemption Date and the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and the principal amount on the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the Holder who surrenders a Note to a Paying Agent to collect such payments in respect of the Note. The Company will pay cash amounts in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Upon conversion of any Note, the Company shall, at its election, pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee in certain circumstances, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, and in certain other circumstances, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, evidenced as in the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures modifying the terms of the Indenture and the Notes as described therein. It is also provided in the Indenture that, subject to certain exceptions, the Holders of a
Exhibit A-6
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any past Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and its consequences.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal (including the Redemption Price and Fundamental Change Repurchase Price, if applicable) of or the consideration due upon conversion of, as the case may be, and accrued and unpaid interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the lawful money herein prescribed.
The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Company referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, Notes may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, without payment of any service charge but, if required by the Company or Trustee, with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer or similar tax that may be imposed in connection therewith as a result of the name of the Holder of the new Notes issued upon such exchange of Notes being different from the name of the Holder of the old Notes surrendered for such exchange.
The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund. Under certain circumstances specified in the Indenture, the Notes will be subject to redemption by the Company at the Redemption Price.
Upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, the Holder has the right, at such Holder’s option, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all of such Holder’s Notes or any portion thereof (in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at a price equal to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder hereof has the right, at its option, during certain periods and upon the occurrence of certain conditions specified in the Indenture, prior to the close of business on the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date, to convert any Notes or portion thereof that is $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof at the Conversion Rate specified in the Indenture, as adjusted from time to time as provided in the Indenture.
In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2022, among the Company and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as the representatives of the Initial Purchasers.
Terms used in this Note and defined in the Indenture are used herein as therein defined.
Exhibit A-7
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM = as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT = Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
CUST = Custodian
TEN ENT = as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN = joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
Exhibit A-8
SCHEDULE A6
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES
Uniti Group Inc.
7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is ___________ DOLLARS ($[______]). The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
Date of Exchange | Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note | 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 | ||||
_____________________________
1 Include if a global note.
Exhibit A-9
ATTACHMENT 1
[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION]
To: Uniti Group Inc.
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Conversion Agent
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion hereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, into cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the Company’s election, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that any cash payable and any shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, together with any cash payable for any fractional share, and any Notes representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and delivered to the registered Holder hereof unless a different name has been indicated below.
If any shares of Common Stock or any portion of this Note not converted are to be issued in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes, if any in accordance with Section 14.02(d) and Section 14.02(e) of the Indenture. Any amount required to be paid to the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note.
In the case of Certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be converted are as set forth below: __________________________
Dated: | |||
Signature(s) |
___________________________
Signature Guarantee
Signature(s) must be guaranteed
by an eligible Guarantor Institution
(banks, stock brokers, savings and
loan associations and credit unions)
with membership in an approved
signature guarantee medallion program
pursuant to Securities and Exchange
Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if shares of Common Stock are to
Exhibit A-10
be issued, or
Notes are to be delivered, other than
to and in the name of the registered holder.
Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock if
to be issued, and Notes if to
be delivered, other than to and in the
name of the registered holder:
_________________________
(Name)
_________________________
(Street Address)
_________________________
(City, State and Zip Code)
Please print name and address
Principal amount to be converted (if less than all): $______,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
_________________________
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number
Exhibit A-11
ATTACHMENT 2
[FORM OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REPURCHASE NOTICE]
To: Uniti Group Inc.
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Uniti Group Inc. (the “Company”) as to the occurrence of a Fundamental Change with respect to the Company and specifying the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date and requests and instructs the Company to pay to the registered holder hereof in accordance with Section 15.02 of the Indenture referred to in this Note (1) the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, and (2) if such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date does not fall during the period after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date.
In the case of Certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be repurchased are as set forth below: __________________________
Dated: _____________________
________________________________
Signature(s)
_________________________
Social Security or Other Taxpayer
Identification Number
Principal amount to be repurchased (if less than all): $______,000
NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Exhibit A-12
ATTACHMENT 3
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER]
For value received ____________________________ hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Note, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints _____________________ attorney to transfer the said Note on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
In connection with any transfer of the within Note, the undersigned confirms that such Note is being transferred:
☐ To Uniti Group Inc. or a Subsidiary thereof;
☐ Pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
☐ To the extent the restrictive legend is removed from the Note, pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Exhibit A-13
Dated: |
Signature(s) | |
Signature Guarantee | |
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible Guarantor Institution (banks, stock brokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15 if Notes are to be delivered, other than to and in the name of the registered holder.
|
NOTICE: The signature on the assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.
Exhibit A-14
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Supplemental Indenture]
This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of ___________ __, ____ is among Uniti Group Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the “Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a national banking association, as Trustee.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company, the initial Guarantors and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of December 12, 2022 (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has issued $[ ],000,000 in principal amount of 7.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”); and
WHEREAS, Section 10.01(c) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture in order to add Guarantors with respect to the Notes, without the consent of the Holders; and
WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;
NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Section 1.01 This Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 1.02 This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.
ARTICLE 2
From this date, by executing this Supplemental Indenture, the Guarantors whose signatures appear below shall be Guarantors with respect to the Notes on terms contemplated by and subject to the provisions of Article 13 of the Indenture.
ARTICLE 3
Exhibit B-1
Section 3.01 Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.
Section 3.02 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. Additionally, the Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals or statements contained herein, all of which recitals or statements are made solely by the Company and the Guarantors, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect to any such matters. This Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.
Section 3.03 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 3.04 The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement. 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 signatures for all purposes.
[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]
Exhibit B-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
UNITI GROUP INC. | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR: | ||
[NAME] | ||
By | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee | ||
By | ||
By |
Exhibit B-3
EXHIBIT 10.1
[Dealer Name]
[Dealer Address]
[__________], 2022
To: | Uniti Group Inc. |
2101 Riverfront Drive, Suite A
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Attention: [______]
Telephone No.: [______]
E-mail: [______]
Re: [[Base][Additional]] Call Option Transaction
The purpose of this letter agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the call option transaction entered into between [Dealer Name] (“Dealer”) and Uniti Group Inc. (“Counterparty”) as of the Trade Date specified below (the “Transaction”). This letter agreement constitutes a “Confirmation” as referred to in the ISDA Master Agreement specified below. Each party further agrees that this Confirmation together with the Agreement evidence a complete binding agreement between Counterparty and Dealer as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.
The definitions and provisions contained in the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”), are incorporated into this Confirmation. In the event of any inconsistency between the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. Certain defined terms used herein are based on terms that are defined in the Offering Memorandum dated [______], 2022 (the “Offering Memorandum”) relating to the Convertible Senior Notes due 20[ ] (as originally issued by Counterparty, the “Convertible Notes” and each USD 1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, a “Convertible Note”) issued by Counterparty in an aggregate initial principal amount of USD [______] (as increased by [up to]1 an aggregate principal amount of USD [______] [if and to the extent that]2[pursuant to the exercise by]3 the Initial Purchasers (as defined herein) [exercise]4[of]5 their option to purchase additional Convertible Notes pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein)) pursuant to an Indenture [to be]6 dated [______], 2022 (the “Indenture”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms defined in the Offering Memorandum, the Indenture and this Confirmation, this Confirmation shall govern. The parties acknowledge that this Confirmation is entered into on the date hereof with the understanding that (i) definitions set forth in the Indenture that are also defined herein by reference to the Indenture and (ii) sections of the Indenture that are referred to herein, in each case, will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum. If any such definitions in the Indenture or any such sections of the Indenture differ from the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum, the descriptions thereof in the Offering Memorandum will govern for purposes of this Confirmation. The parties further acknowledge that the Indenture section numbers used herein are based on the [draft of the Indenture last reviewed by Dealer as of the date of this Confirmation, and if any such section numbers are changed in the Indenture as executed, the parties will amend this Confirmation in good faith to preserve the intent of the parties]7[Indenture as executed]8. Subject to the foregoing, references to the Indenture herein are references to the Indenture as in effect on the date of its execution, and if the Indenture is amended or supplemented following such date (other than any amendment or supplement (x) pursuant to Section [10.01(j)]9 of the Indenture
1 Include in the Base Call Option Confirmation.
2 Include in the Base Call Option Confirmation.
3 Include in the Additional Call Option Confirmation.
4 Include in the Base Call Option Confirmation.
5 Include in the Additional Call Option Confirmation.
6 Insert if Indenture is not completed at the time of the Confirmation.
7 Include in the Base Call Option Confirmation. Include in the Additional Call Option Confirmation if it is executed before closing of the base deal.
8 Include in the Additional Call Option Confirmation, but only if the Additional Call Option Confirmation is executed after closing of the base deal.
9 Include cross-reference to Indenture section permitting amendments without holder consent to conform the Indenture to the Description of Notes.
that, as determined by the Calculation Agent, conforms the Indenture to the description of the Convertible Notes in the Offering Memorandum or (y) pursuant to Section [14.07]10 of the Indenture, subject, in the case of this clause (y), to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment” in Section 3), any such amendment or supplement will be disregarded for purposes of this Confirmation unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.
Each party is hereby advised, and each such party acknowledges, that the other party has engaged in, or refrained from engaging in, substantial financial transactions and has taken other material actions in reliance upon the parties’ entry into the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates on the terms and conditions set forth below.
1. This Confirmation evidences a complete and binding agreement between Dealer and Counterparty as to the terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. This Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (the “Agreement”) as if Dealer and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (but without any Schedule except for (i) the election of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law (without reference to choice of law doctrine); (ii) the election that the “Cross Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the Agreement shall apply to Dealer with (a) the phrase “, or becoming capable at such time of being declared,” deleted from Section 5(a)(vi)(1) of the Agreement, (b) a “Threshold Amount” with respect to Dealer of three percent of Dealer’s shareholders’ equity as of the Trade Date and (c) the following language added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi): “Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under subsection (2) hereof shall not constitute an Event of Default if (x) the default was caused solely by error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; (y) funds were available to enable the party to make the payment when due; and (z) the payment is made within two Local Business Days of such party’s receipt of written notice of its failure to pay.”; and (iii) the term “Specified Indebtedness” shall have the meaning specified in Section 14 of the Agreement[, except that such term shall not include obligations in respect of deposits received in the ordinary course of Dealer’s banking business]11) on the Trade Date. In the event of any inconsistency between provisions of the Agreement and this Confirmation, this Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates. The parties hereby agree that no transaction other than the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates shall be governed by the Agreement.
2. The Transaction shall be considered a Share Option Transaction for purposes of the Equity Definitions. The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms.
Trade Date: | [_________], 2022 | |
Effective Date: | The second Exchange Business Day immediately prior to the Premium Payment Date | |
Option Style: | “Modified American”, as described under “Procedures for Exercise” below | |
Option Type: | Call | |
Buyer: | Counterparty | |
Seller: | Dealer | |
Shares: | The common stock of Counterparty, par value USD 0.0001 per share (Exchange symbol “UNIT”). | |
Number of Options: | [_______]. For the avoidance of doubt, the Number of Options shall be reduced by any Options exercised by Counterparty. In no event will the Number of Options be less than zero. | |
Applicable Percentage: | [__]% |
10 Include cross-reference to Indenture section relating to Merger Events.
11 Include if applicable.
2
Option Entitlement: | A number equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and [______]12. | |
Strike Price: | USD [______] | |
Cap Price: | USD [______] | |
Premium: | USD [______] | |
Premium Payment Date: | [__________], 2022 | |
Exchange: | The Nasdaq Global Select Market | |
Related Exchange(s): | All Exchanges | |
Excluded Provisions: | Section [14.04(h)]13, Section [14.03]14 [and Section 16.06] of the Indenture. |
Procedures for Exercise.
Conversion Date: | With respect to any conversion of a Convertible Note (other than (1) any conversion of Convertible Notes with a Conversion Date occurring prior to the Free Convertibility Date, (2) any conversion of Convertible Notes occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date in connection with a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) and (3) any conversion of Convertible Notes occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date in connection with a “Notice of Redemption” (as defined in the Indenture) (any such conversion described in (1), (2) or (3) above, an “Early Conversion”), to which the provisions of Section 9(j)(i) of this Confirmation shall apply), the date on which the Holder (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of such Convertible Note satisfies all of the requirements for conversion thereof as set forth in Section [14.02(b)]15 of the Indenture; provided that if Counterparty has not delivered to Dealer a related Notice of Exercise, then in no event shall a Conversion Date be deemed to occur hereunder (and no Option shall be exercised or deemed to be exercised hereunder) with respect to any surrender of a Convertible Note for conversion in respect of which Counterparty has elected to designate a financial institution for exchange in lieu of conversion of such Convertible Note pursuant to Section [14.02(j)]16 of the Indenture. |
Free Convertibility Date: | September 1, 2027 | |
Expiration Time: | The Valuation Time |
12 Insert the initial Conversion Rate for the Convertible Notes.
13 Include cross-reference to section(s) of the Indenture containing discretionary adjustments to the Conversion Rate by Counterparty.
14 Include cross-reference to Indenture section(s) dealing with make-whole adjustments to the Conversion Rate.
15 Include cross-reference to section(s) of the Indenture setting forth the requirements for conversion of the Convertible Notes.
16 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for exchange in lieu of conversion.
3
Exercise in Connection with Certain | ||
Conversion Dates: | Notwithstanding Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, on each Conversion Date occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date in respect of which a Notice of Conversion (as defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting Holder, a number of Options equal to [(i)] the number of Convertible Notes in denominations of USD 1,000 as to which such Conversion Date has occurred [minus (ii) the number of Options that are or are deemed to be automatically exercised on such Conversion Date under the Base Call Option Transaction Confirmation letter agreement dated [_________], 2022 between Dealer and Counterparty (the “Base Call Option Confirmation”) (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be automatically exercised hereunder or under the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Convertible Notes subject to conversion shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated),]17 shall be deemed to be automatically exercised; provided that such Options shall be exercised or deemed exercised only if Counterparty has provided a Notice of Exercise to Dealer in accordance with “Notice of Exercise” below. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the number of Options that are exercised or deemed exercised hereunder exceed the Number of Options.
Automatic Exercise After Free | ||
Convertibility Date: | Notwithstanding Section 3.4 of the Equity Definitions, unless Counterparty notifies Dealer in writing prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date that it does not wish automatic exercise to occur, all Options then outstanding as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date shall be deemed to be automatically exercised as if (i) a number of Convertible Notes (in denominations of USD 1,000 principal amount) equal to such number of then-outstanding Options were converted with a “Conversion Date” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) occurring on or after the Free Convertibility Date (and not in connection with a “Make-Whole Fundamental Change” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) nor in connection with a “Notice of Redemption” (as such term is defined in the Indenture)) and (ii) the Notice of Final Settlement Method, if any, applied to such Convertible Notes; provided that no such |
17 Include for Additional Call Option Confirmation only.
4
automatic exercise pursuant to this paragraph shall occur if the Relevant Price for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period is less than or equal to the Strike Price.
“‘Market Disruption Event’ means, in respect of a Share, (i) a failure by the primary United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading to open for
5
trading during its regular trading session or (ii) the occurrence or existence prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Scheduled Valid Day for the Shares for more than one half-hour period in the aggregate during regular trading hours of any suspension or limitation imposed on trading (by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise) in the Shares or in any options contracts or futures contracts relating to the Shares.”
Settlement Terms.
Settlement Method: | For any Option, Net Share Settlement; provided that if the Relevant Settlement Method set forth below for such Option is not Net Share Settlement, then the Settlement Method for such Option shall be such Relevant Settlement Method, but only if Counterparty shall have notified Dealer of the Relevant Settlement Method in the Notice of Final Settlement Method for such Option. | |
Relevant Settlement Method: | In respect of any Option: |
(i) if Counterparty has elected (or, in the case of the Default Settlement Method, is deemed to have elected) to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note (A) entirely in Shares pursuant to Section [14.02(a)(iii)(A)]18 of the Indenture (together with cash in lieu of fractional Shares) (such settlement method, “Settlement in Shares”), (B) in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section [14.02(a)(iii)(C)]19 of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount less than USD 1,000 (such settlement method, “Low Cash Combination Settlement”) or (C) in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section [14.02(a)(iii)(C)]20 of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount equal to USD 1,000 (such settlement method, the “Default Settlement Method”), then, for each of the cases in clause (A) (Settlement in Shares), clause (B) (Low Cash Combination Settlement) and clause (C) (Default Settlement Method), the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Net Share Settlement;
(ii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note in a combination of cash and Shares pursuant to Section [14.02(a)(iii)(C)]21 of the Indenture with a Specified Cash Amount greater than USD 1,000, then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Combination Settlement; and
18 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for full physical settlement of the Convertible Notes.
19 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for combination settlement of the Convertible Notes.
20 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for combination settlement of the Convertible Notes.
21 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for combination settlement of the Convertible Notes.
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(iii) if Counterparty has elected to settle its conversion obligations in respect of the related Convertible Note entirely in cash pursuant to Section [14.02(a)(iii)(B)]22 of the Indenture (such settlement method, “Settlement in Cash”), then the Relevant Settlement Method for such Option shall be Cash Settlement.
Net Share Settlement: | If Net Share Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will deliver to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, a number of Shares (the “Net Share Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for each such Option, of (i) (a) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (b) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period. |
Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Net Share Settlement Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.
Combination Settlement: | If Combination Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, Dealer will pay or deliver, as the case may be, to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option: |
(i) | cash (the “Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (A) an amount (the “Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount”) equal to the lesser of (1) the product of (x) the Applicable Percentage and (y) the Specified Cash Amount minus USD 1,000 and (2) the Daily Option Value, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in clause (A) above results in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero; and |
(ii) | Shares (the “Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of a number of Shares for such Valid Day (the “Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount”) equal to (A) (1) the Daily Option Value on such Valid Day minus the Daily Combination Settlement Cash Amount for such Valid Day, divided by (2) the Relevant Price on such Valid Day, divided by (B) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period; provided that if the calculation in sub-clause (A)(1) above results |
22 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture containing provisions for cash settlement of the Convertible Notes.
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in zero or a negative number for any Valid Day, the Daily Combination Settlement Share Amount for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero.
Dealer will pay cash in lieu of delivering any fractional Shares to be delivered with respect to any Combination Settlement Share Amount valued at the Relevant Price for the last Valid Day of the Settlement Averaging Period.
Cash Settlement: | If Cash Settlement is applicable to any Option exercised or deemed exercised hereunder, in lieu of Section 8.1 of the Equity Definitions, Dealer will pay to Counterparty, on the relevant Settlement Date for each such Option, an amount of cash (the “Cash Settlement Amount”) equal to the sum, for each Valid Day during the Settlement Averaging Period for such Option, of (i) the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day, divided by (ii) the number of Valid Days in the Settlement Averaging Period. | |
Daily Option Value: | For any Valid Day, an amount equal to (i) the Option Entitlement on such Valid Day, multiplied by (ii) (A) the lesser of the Relevant Price on such Valid Day and the Cap Price, less (B) the Strike Price on such Valid Day; provided that if the calculation contained in clause (ii) above results in a negative number, the Daily Option Value for such Valid Day shall be deemed to be zero. In no event will the Daily Option Value be less than zero. | |
Valid Day: | A day on which (i) there is no Market Disruption Event and (ii) trading in the Shares generally occurs on the Exchange or, if the Shares are not then listed on the Exchange, on the principal other United States national or regional securities exchange on which the Shares are then listed or, if the Shares are not then listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, on the principal other market on which the Shares are then listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Valid Day” means a Business Day. | |
Scheduled Valid Day: | A day that is scheduled to be a Valid Day on the principal United States national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Shares are listed or admitted for trading. If the Shares are not so listed or admitted for trading, “Scheduled Valid Day” means a Business Day. | |
Business Day: | Any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is authorized or required by law or executive order to close or be closed. | |
Relevant Price: | On any Valid Day, the per Share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading “Bloomberg VWAP” on Bloomberg page UNIT <equity> AQR (or any successor thereto) in respect of the period from the scheduled opening time of the Exchange to the Scheduled Closing Time of the Exchange on such Valid Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable at such time, the market value of one Share on such Valid |
8
Day, as determined by the Calculation Agent using, if practicable, a volume-weighted average method). The Relevant Price will be determined without regard to after-hours trading or any other trading outside of the regular trading session trading hours.
3. Additional Terms applicable to the Transaction.
Adjustments applicable to the Transaction:
Potential Adjustment Events: | Notwithstanding Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions, a “Potential Adjustment Event” means an occurrence of any event or condition, as set forth in any Dilution Adjustment Provision, that would result in an adjustment under the Indenture to the “Conversion Rate” or the composition of a “Unit of Reference Property” or to any “Last Reported Sale Price”, “Daily VWAP”, “Daily Conversion Value” or “Daily Settlement Amount” (each as defined in the Indenture). For the avoidance of doubt, Dealer shall not have any delivery or payment obligation hereunder, and no adjustment shall be made to the terms of the Transaction, on account of (x) any distribution of cash, property or securities by Counterparty to Holders of the Convertible Notes (upon conversion or otherwise) or (y) any other transaction in which Holders of the Convertible Notes are entitled to participate, in each case, |
9
in lieu of an adjustment under the Indenture of the type referred to in the immediately preceding sentence (including, without limitation, pursuant to [the third paragraph of Section 14.04(c) of the Indenture]23 or [the fourth paragraph of Section 14.04(d) of the Indenture]24).
Method of Adjustment: | Calculation Agent Adjustment, which means that, notwithstanding Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions, upon any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction to the extent an analogous adjustment is required to be made pursuant to the Indenture in connection with such Potential Adjustment Event. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing and “Consequences of Merger Events” below:
(i) | if the Calculation Agent in good faith disagrees with any adjustment to the Convertible Notes that involves an exercise of discretion by Counterparty, its board of directors or a committee thereof (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section [14.05]25 of the Indenture, Section [14.07]26 of the Indenture or any supplemental indenture entered into thereunder or in connection with any proportional adjustment or the determination of the fair value of any securities, property, rights or other assets), then in each such case, the Calculation Agent will determine the adjustment to be made to any one or more of the Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction in a commercially reasonable manner; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Potential Adjustment Event occurs during the Settlement Averaging Period but no adjustment was made to any Convertible Note under the Indenture because the relevant Holder was deemed to be a record owner of the underlying Shares on the related Conversion Date, then the Calculation Agent shall make an adjustment to the terms hereof in order to account for such Potential Adjustment Event; |
23 Include cross reference to provision in the Indenture providing for pass-through of Distributed Property, at the same time as it is received by holders of the Shares, in lieu of a Conversion Rate adjustment.
24 Include cross reference to provision in the Indenture providing for pass-through of cash, at the same time as it is received by holders of the Shares, in lieu of a Conversion Rate adjustment.
25 Include cross-reference to specific paragraph of the section of the Indenture providing for adjustments where a Conversion Rate adjustment occurs during a period over which VWAP, conversion value, settlement amount or closing price is calculated.
26 Include cross-reference to Indenture section relating to merger events.
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(ii) | in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event as a result of an event or condition set forth in Section [14.04(b)]27 of the Indenture or Section [14.04(c)]28 of the Indenture where, in either case, the period for determining “Y” (as such term is used in Section [14.04(b)] of the Indenture) or “SP0” (as such term is used in Section [14.04(c)] of the Indenture), as the case may be, begins before Counterparty has publicly announced the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event, then the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust any variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the costs (including, but not limited to, hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities as a result of such event or condition not having been publicly announced prior to the beginning of such period; and |
(iii) | if any Potential Adjustment Event is declared and (a) the event or condition giving rise to such Potential Adjustment Event is subsequently amended, modified, cancelled or abandoned, (b) the “Conversion Rate” (as defined in the Indenture) is otherwise not adjusted at the time or in the manner contemplated by the relevant Dilution Adjustment Provision based on such declaration or (c) the “Conversion Rate” (as defined in the Indenture) is adjusted as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event and subsequently re-adjusted (each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), a “Potential Adjustment Event Change”) then, in each case, the Calculation Agent shall have the right to adjust any variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction as appropriate to reflect the costs (including, but not limited to, hedging mismatches and market losses) and expenses incurred by Dealer in connection with its hedging activities as a result of such Potential Adjustment Event Change. |
Dilution Adjustment Provisions: | Sections [14.04][(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)]29 and Section [14.05]30 of the Indenture. |
27 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture providing for an adjustment to the Conversion Rate in connection with a below-market rights, options or warrants offering.
28 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture providing for an adjustment to the Conversion Rate in connection with distributions of Distributed Property.
29 Include cross-reference to specific paragraphs of the section of the Indenture containing anti-dilution adjustments to the Conversion Rate, including above-market tender offers by Counterparty.
30 Include cross-reference to specific paragraph of the section of the Indenture providing for adjustments where a Conversion Rate adjustment occurs during a period over which VWAP, conversion value, settlement amount or closing price is calculated.
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Extraordinary Events applicable to the Transaction:
Merger Events: | Applicable; provided that notwithstanding Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions, which section shall not apply with respect to the Transaction, a “Merger Event” means the occurrence of any event or condition set forth in the definition of “Specified Corporate Event” in Section [14.07(a)]31 of the Indenture. | |
Tender Offers: | Not Applicable. | |
Consequences of Merger Events: | Notwithstanding Section 12.2 of the Equity Definitions, upon the occurrence of a Merger Event, the Calculation Agent shall make a corresponding adjustment in respect of any adjustment under the Indenture to any one or more of the nature of the Shares, Strike Price, Number of Options, Option Entitlement and any other variable relevant to the exercise, settlement or payment for the Transaction to the extent an analogous adjustment is required to be made pursuant to the Indenture in connection with such Merger Event, subject to the second paragraph under “Method of Adjustment”; provided, however, that such adjustment shall be made without regard to any adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to any Excluded Provision, provided further that if, with respect to a Merger Event, (i) the consideration for the Shares includes (or, at the option of a holder of Shares, may include) shares of an entity or person that is not a corporation or is not organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia or (ii) the Counterparty to the Transaction following such Merger Event will not be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, then, in either case, Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination) may apply at Dealer’s commercially reasonable election. | |
Consequences of Announcement Events: | Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment as set forth in Section 12.3(d) of the Equity Definitions; provided that, in respect of an Announcement Event, (x) references to “Tender Offer” shall be replaced by references to “Announcement Event” and references to “Tender Offer Date” shall be replaced by references to “date of such Announcement Event”, (y) the phrase “exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of the Transaction (including, without limitation, the spread)” shall be replaced with the phrase “Cap Price (provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price)”, and the words “whether within a commercially reasonable (as determined by the Calculation Agent) period of time prior to or after the Announcement Event,” shall be inserted prior to the word “which” in the seventh line, and (z) for the avoidance of doubt, the Calculation Agent shall determine whether the relevant Announcement Event has |
31 Include cross-reference to the section of the Indenture describing consequences of merger events.
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had a material economic effect on the Transaction (and, if so, shall adjust the Cap Price accordingly in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner) on one or more occasions on or after the date of the Announcement Event up to, and including, the Expiration Date, any Early Termination Date and/or any other date of cancellation, it being understood that (1) any adjustment in respect of an Announcement Event shall take into account any earlier adjustment relating to the same Announcement Event, (2) such adjustment shall be made solely in respect of the period (as determined by the Calculation Agent) during which the relevant Announcement Event has had a material effect on the Transaction and without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder or in respect of any previous Announcement Event and (3) in determining such economic effect the Calculation Agent shall take into account Dealer’s Hedge Positions. An Announcement Event shall be an “Extraordinary Event” for purposes of the Equity Definitions, to which Article 12 of the Equity Definitions is applicable.
Announcement Event: | (i) The public announcement by Issuer or any subsidiary or agent thereof or any party (1) that has or is reasonably likely to have or be able to obtain the financial resources to consummate the relevant transaction or event (as determined by the Calculation Agent) or (2) where the Calculation Agent determines that the relevant transaction or event is reasonably likely to occur (it being understood that such determination may be made by reference to the effect of such public announcement on the market price of the Shares or options on the Shares) of (x) any transaction or event that, if completed, would constitute a Merger Event or Tender Offer, (y) any potential acquisition by Issuer and/or its subsidiaries where the aggregate consideration exceeds 50% of the market capitalization of Issuer as of the date of such announcement (an “Acquisition Transaction”) or (z) the intention to enter into a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction, (ii) the public announcement by Issuer of an intention to solicit or enter into, or to explore strategic alternatives or other similar undertaking that may include, a Merger Event or Tender Offer or an Acquisition Transaction or (iii) any subsequent public announcement by Issuer or any subsidiary or agent thereof or any party (1) that has or is reasonably likely to have or be able to obtain the financial resources to consummate the relevant transaction making the previous announcement or event (as determined by the Calculation Agent) or (2) where the Calculation Agent determines that the relevant transaction or event is reasonably likely to occur (it being understood that such determination may be made by reference to the effect of such public announcement on the market price of the Shares or options on the Shares) of a change to a transaction or intention that is the subject of an announcement of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence (including, without limitation, a new announcement, whether or not by the same party, relating |
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to such a transaction or intention or the announcement of a withdrawal from, or the abandonment or discontinuation of, such a transaction or intention), as determined by the Calculation Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the occurrence of an Announcement Event with respect to any transaction or intention shall not preclude the occurrence of a later Announcement Event with respect to such transaction or intention. For purposes of this definition of “Announcement Event,” (A) “Merger Event” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions (but, for the avoidance of doubt, the remainder of the definition of “Merger Event” in Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions following the definition of “Reverse Merger” therein shall be disregarded) and (B) “Tender Offer” shall mean such term as defined under Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions, except that all references to “voting shares” in Sections 12.1(d), 12.1(e) and 12.1(l) of the Equity Definitions shall be deemed to be references to “Shares”; provided that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing “10%” with “25%” in the third line thereof.
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting: | Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it will also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors), such exchange or quotation system shall thereafter be deemed to be the Exchange. | |
Restrictions on Adjustments: | Other than pursuant to Section 9(bb), none of the events listed in Section [14.04(i)]32 of the Indenture will constitute a Potential Adjustment Event or Merger Event, and no adjustment will be made to the Transaction in connection with any such event pursuant to the Equity Definitions (as amended by this Confirmation) or otherwise. |
Additional Disruption Events:
Change in Law: | Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) replacing the phrase “the interpretation” in the third line thereof with the phrase “, or public announcement of, the formal or informal interpretation”, (ii) replacing the word “Shares” where it appears in clause (X) thereof with the words |
32 Include cross-reference to section of the Indenture describing list of events for which the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted.
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“Hedge Position” and (iii) replacing the parenthetical beginning after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof with the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) any tax law or (y) adoption, effectiveness or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute)”. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Equity Definitions, a Change in Law described in clause (Y) of Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions shall not constitute a Change in Law and instead shall constitute an Increased Cost of Hedging as described in Section 12.9(a)(vi) of the Equity Definitions, and any such determination of a Change in Law shall be consistently applied by the Determining Party across transactions similar to the Transaction and for counterparties similar to Counterparty.
Failure to Deliver: | Applicable | |
Hedging Disruption: | Applicable; provided that: |
(i) | Section 12.9(a)(v) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting (a) the following words at the end of clause (A) thereof: “in the manner contemplated by the Hedging Party on the Trade Date” and (b) the following two phrases at the end of such Section: |
“For the avoidance of doubt, the term “equity price risk” shall be deemed to include, but shall not be limited to, stock price and volatility risk. And, for the further avoidance of doubt, any such transactions or assets referred to in phrases (A) or (B) above must be available on commercially reasonable pricing terms.”; and
(ii) | Section 12.9(b)(iii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by inserting in the third line thereof, after the words “to terminate the Transaction”, the words “or a portion of the Transaction affected by such Hedging Disruption”. |
Increased Cost of Hedging: | Applicable solely with respect to a “Change in Law” described in clause (Y) of Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions as set forth in the last sentence opposite the caption “Change in Law” above (which determination shall be consistently applied by the Determining Party across transactions similar to the Transaction and for counterparties similar to Counterparty). | |
Hedging Party: | For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Dealer; provided that when making any determination or calculation as “Hedging Party” (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, the making of any election it is entitled to make as “Hedging Party”), Dealer shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity |
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Definitions and this Confirmation as if the Hedging Party were the Calculation Agent.
Determining Party: | For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Dealer; provided that when making any determination or calculation as “Determining Party,” Dealer shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation as if the Determining Party were the Calculation Agent. |
Non-Reliance: | Applicable | |
Agreements and Acknowledgments | ||
Regarding Hedging Activities: | Applicable | |
Additional Acknowledgments: | Applicable |
4. Calculation Agent. Dealer. Whenever the Calculation Agent is required to act or to exercise judgment in any way with respect to the Transaction, it will do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. Whenever the Calculation Agent is required or permitted to determine the effect of an event (including Potential Adjustment Events) on Dealer’s hedge position, the Calculation Agent will make such determination based on the assumption that Dealer is maintaining (or establishing or unwinding, as the case may be) a commercially reasonable hedge position with respect to the Transaction. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Dealer is the Defaulting Party, Counterparty shall have the right to designate an independent, nationally recognized equity derivatives dealer to replace Dealer as Calculation Agent, and the parties shall work in good faith to execute any appropriate documentation required by such replacement Calculation Agent. Following any determination, adjustment or calculation by the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party hereunder (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, the making of any election by Hedging Party that is entitled to make as “Hedging Party”), the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party, as the case may be, will within five Exchange Business Days of a request by Counterparty, provide to Counterparty a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data without disclosing any proprietary or confidential models or other information that is subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination, adjustment or calculation, as the case may be.
5. Account Details.
(a) | Account for payments to Counterparty: |
[____________]
Account for delivery of Shares to Counterparty:
To be provided by Counterparty.
(b) | Account for payments to Dealer: |
[______________]
Account for delivery of Shares from Dealer:
DTC [____]
6. Offices.
(a) | The Office of Counterparty for the Transaction is: Inapplicable, Counterparty is not a Multibranch Party. |
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(b) | The Office of Dealer for the Transaction is: [London / New York] |
[___________________]
7. Notices.
(a) | Address for notices or communications to Counterparty: |
Uniti Group Inc.
2101 Riverfront Drive, Suite A
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Attention: | [_____] | |
Telephone No.: | [_____] | |
E-mail: | [_____] |
With a copy to:
Attention: | [_____] | |
Telephone No.: | [_____] | |
Email: | [_____] |
And:
Attention: | [_____] | |
Telephone No.: | [_____] | |
Email: | [_____] |
(b) | Address for notices or communications to Dealer: |
[_________________________]
8. Representations and Warranties of Counterparty.
In addition to the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement, Counterparty hereby represents and warrants to Dealer on the date hereof and on and as of the Premium Payment Date that:
(a) | Counterparty is not and, after consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will not be required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
(b) | Counterparty is an “eligible contract participant” (as such term is defined in Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, other than a person that is an eligible contract participant under Section 1a(18)(C) of the Commodity Exchange Act). |
(c) | Counterparty is not, on the date hereof, in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares. |
(d) | Counterparty (A) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities; (B) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing; and (C) has total assets of at least USD 50 million. |
(e) | On each of the Trade Date, the Premium Payment Date and immediately after giving effect to the Transaction on the Premium Payment Date, (A) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the total assets of Counterparty is not less than the total amount required to pay the probable total liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of Counterparty as they mature and become absolute, (B) the capital of Counterparty is adequate to conduct its business in the manner |
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described in the offering memorandum relating to the sale of the Convertible Notes and to enter into the Transaction, (C) Counterparty has the ability to pay its debts and obligations as such debts mature, (D) Counterparty is not “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “Bankruptcy Code”)) and (E) Counterparty would be able to purchase the Number of Shares with respect to the Transaction in compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction of Counterparty’s incorporation.
9. Other Provisions.
(a) | Opinions. Counterparty shall deliver to Dealer one or more opinions of counsel, dated as of the Premium Payment Date, with respect to the matters set forth in Section 3(a) of the Agreement; provided that any such opinion of counsel may contain customary exceptions and qualifications. Delivery of such opinion or opinions, as the case may be, when due, to Dealer shall be a condition precedent for the purpose of Section 2(a)(iii) of the Agreement with respect to each obligation of Dealer under Section 2(a)(i) of the Agreement. |
(b) | Repurchase Notices. If on any day Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares, Counterparty shall give Dealer a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”) within one Exchange Business Day if, following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares, as the case may be, as determined on such day is (i) less than [__] million (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than [__] million less than the number of Shares, as the case may be, included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Dealer and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all losses (including losses relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities as a consequence of becoming, or of the risk of becoming, a Section 16 “insider”, including without limitation, any forbearance from commercially reasonable hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person actually may become subject to, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice on the day and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within 30 days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Dealer with a Repurchase Notice in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain one counsel per relevant jurisdiction reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall not be liable to the extent that the Indemnified Person fails to notify Counterparty within a commercially reasonable period of time after any action is commenced against it in respect of which an indemnity may be sought hereunder. In addition, Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person |
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thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction.
(c) | Regulation M. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date engaged in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not, until the second Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the Effective Date, engage in any such distribution. |
(d) | No Manipulation. Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act. |
(e) | Transfer or Assignment. |
(i) | Counterparty shall have the right to transfer or assign its rights and obligations hereunder with respect to all, but not less than all, of the Options hereunder (such Options, the “Transfer Options”); provided that such transfer or assignment shall be subject to reasonable conditions that Dealer may impose, including but not limited, to the following conditions: |
(A) | With respect to any Transfer Options, Counterparty shall not be released from its notice and indemnification obligations pursuant to Section 9(b) or any obligations under Section 9(o) or 9(t) of this Confirmation; |
(B) | Such transfer or assignment shall be effected on terms, including any reasonable undertakings by such third party (including, but not limited to, an undertaking with respect to compliance with applicable securities laws in a manner that, in the reasonable judgment of Dealer, will not expose Dealer to material risks under applicable securities laws) and execution of any documentation and delivery of legal opinions with respect to securities laws and other matters by such third party and Counterparty, as are requested and reasonably satisfactory to Dealer; |
(C) | Dealer will not, as a result of such transfer and assignment, (i) receive from the transferee or assignee on any payment or delivery date any payment or delivery less than an amount that Dealer would have been entitled to receive from Counterparty in the absence of such transfer or assignment or (ii) be required to pay the transferee on any payment date an amount under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement greater than an amount that Dealer would have been required to pay to Counterparty in the absence of such transfer and assignment; |
(D) | An Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event will not occur as a result of such transfer and assignment; |
(E) | The transferee or assignee shall provide Dealer with a complete and accurate U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8 (as applicable) prior to becoming a party to the Transaction; |
(F) | Counterparty shall cause the transferee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may be reasonably requested by |
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Dealer to permit Dealer to determine that results described in clauses (C) and (D) will not occur upon or after such transfer and assignment; and
(G) | Counterparty shall be responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred by Dealer in connection with such transfer or assignment. |
(ii) | Dealer may transfer or assign all or any part of its rights or obligations under the Transaction (A) without Counterparty’s consent, to any affiliate of Dealer (1) that has a long-term issuer rating that is equal to or better than Dealer’s credit rating at the time of such transfer or assignment, or (2) whose obligations hereunder will be guaranteed, pursuant to the terms of a customary guarantee in a form used by Dealer generally for similar transactions, by Dealer [or its ultimate parent]33, or (B) with Counterparty’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to any other third party with a long-term issuer rating equal to or better than the lesser of (1) the credit rating of Dealer at the time of the transfer and (2) A- by Standard and Poor’s Rating Group, Inc. or its successor (“S&P”), or A3 by Moody’s Investor Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or, if either S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate such debt, at least an equivalent rating or better by a substitute rating agency mutually agreed by Counterparty and Dealer; provided that any transfer or assignment effected by Dealer shall not result in a deemed exchange from Counterparty’s perspective within the meaning of Section 1001 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); provided further that (w) no Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event will occur as a result of such transfer or assignment, (x) Counterparty shall not, as a result of such transfer or assignment, (i) receive from the transferee or assignee on any payment or delivery date any payment or delivery less than an amount that Counterparty would have been entitled to receive from Dealer in the absence of such transfer or assignment or (ii) be required to pay the transferee or assignee on any payment date an amount under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement greater than an amount that Counterparty would have been required to pay Dealer in the absence of such transfer or assignment, (y) the transferee or assignee shall provide Counterparty with a complete and accurate U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8 (as applicable) prior to becoming a party to the Transaction and (z) Dealer shall cause the transferee or assignee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may be reasonably requested by Counterparty to permit Counterparty to determine that results described in clause (x) will not occur upon or after such transfer and assignment. If at any time at which (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds 9.0%, [(B) the Option Equity Percentage exceeds 14.5%,]34 or (C) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit (if any applies) (any such condition described in clauses (A), (B) or (C), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Dealer is unable after using its commercially reasonable efforts to effect a transfer or assignment of Options to a third party on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Dealer and within a time period reasonably acceptable to Dealer such that no Excess Ownership Position exists, then Dealer may designate any Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”), such that following such partial termination no Excess Ownership Position exists. In the event that Dealer so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction, a payment shall be made pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Options underlying the Terminated Portion, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such partial termination and (3) the Terminated Portion were the sole Affected Transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 9(m) shall apply to any amount that is payable by Dealer to Counterparty pursuant to this sentence as if Counterparty was not the Affected Party). The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is |
33 Include if Dealer is not parent entity.
34 Subject to trade allocation.
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the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Dealer and any of its affiliates or any other person subject to aggregation with Dealer for purposes of the “beneficial ownership” test under Section 13 of the Exchange Act, or any “group” (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act) of which Dealer is or may be deemed to be a part beneficially owns (within the meaning of Section 13 of the Exchange Act), without duplication, on such day (or, to the extent that for any reason the equivalent calculation under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder results in a higher number, such higher number) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding on such day. The “Option Equity Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, (A) the numerator of which is the sum of (1) the product of the Number of Options and the Option Entitlement and (2) the aggregate number of Shares underlying any other call option transaction sold by Dealer to Counterparty, and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding. The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Dealer and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Dealer (Dealer or any such person, a “Dealer Person”) under any law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion. The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares, as the case may be, that could reasonably be expected to give rise to reporting or registration obligations (except for any filing requirements on Form 13F, Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act), mandatory takeover offers or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from shareholders or any other person or entity) of a Dealer Person, or could reasonably be expected (as determined by Dealer in good faith) to result in an adverse effect on a Dealer Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Dealer in its reasonable discretion, minus (B) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding.
(iii) | Notwithstanding any other provision in this Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Dealer to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities, or make or receive any payment in cash, to or from Counterparty, Dealer may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities, or to make or receive such payment in cash, and otherwise to perform Dealer’s obligations in respect of the Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Dealer shall be discharged of its obligations to Counterparty to the extent of any such performance. |
(f) | Staggered Settlement. If upon advice of counsel with respect to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including any requirements relating to Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging activities hereunder, Dealer reasonably determines that it would not be practicable or advisable to deliver, or to acquire Shares to deliver, any or all of the Shares to be delivered by Dealer on any Settlement Date for the Transaction, Dealer may, by notice to Counterparty on or prior to any Settlement Date (a “Nominal Settlement Date”), elect to deliver the Shares on two or more dates (each, a “Staggered Settlement Date”) as follows: |
(i) | in such notice, Dealer will specify to Counterparty the related Staggered Settlement Dates (each of which will be on or prior to such Nominal Settlement Date) and the number of Shares that it will deliver on each Staggered Settlement Date; |
(ii) | the aggregate number of Shares that Dealer will deliver to Counterparty hereunder on all such Staggered Settlement Dates will equal the number of Shares that Dealer would otherwise be required to deliver on such Nominal Settlement Date; and |
(iii) | if the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms set forth above were to apply on the Nominal Settlement Date, then the Net Share Settlement terms or the Combination Settlement terms, as the case may be, will apply on each Staggered |
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Settlement Date, except that the Shares otherwise deliverable on such Nominal Settlement Date will be allocated among such Staggered Settlement Dates as specified by Dealer in the notice referred to in clause (i) above.
(g) | [Conduct Rules. Each party acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. applicable to transactions in options, and further agrees not to violate the position and exercise limits set forth therein.]35 |
(h) | [Role of Agent. [Insert relevant Dealer agency language, if any]] |
(i) | Dividends. If at any time during the period from and including the Effective Date, to but excluding the Expiration Date, (i) an ex-dividend date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares (an “Ex-Dividend Date”), and that dividend is less than the Regular Dividend on a per Share basis or (ii) if no Ex-Dividend Date for a regular quarterly cash dividend occurs with respect to the Shares in any quarterly dividend period of Counterparty, then the Calculation Agent will adjust the Cap Price to preserve the fair value of the Options to Dealer after taking into account such dividend or lack thereof. “Regular Dividend” shall mean USD 0.15 per Share per quarter. Upon any adjustment to the “Initial Dividend Threshold” (as defined in the Indenture) for the Convertible Notes pursuant to the Indenture, the Calculation Agent will make a corresponding adjustment to the Regular Dividend for the Transaction. |
(j) | Additional Termination Events. |
(i) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, upon any Early Conversion in respect of which a “Notice of Conversion” (as such term is defined in the Indenture) that is effective as to Counterparty has been delivered by the relevant converting Holder: |
(A) | Counterparty may, at its option, within five Scheduled Trading Days of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, provide written notice (an “Early Conversion Notice”) to Dealer specifying the number of Convertible Notes surrendered for conversion on such Conversion Date (such Convertible Notes, the “Affected Convertible Notes”), and the giving of such Early Conversion Notice shall constitute an Additional Termination Event as provided in this clause (i)[, and any Early Conversion Notice delivered to Dealer pursuant to the Base Call Option Confirmation shall be deemed to be an Early Conversion Notice pursuant to this Confirmation and the terms of such Early Conversion Notice shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Confirmation]36; provided that any such Early Conversion Notice shall contain a representation by Counterparty that the representations set forth in Section 8(c) are true and correct as of the date of such Early Conversion Notice; provided further that the provisions of this Section 9(j)(i) shall not apply to any Affected Convertible Note (i) with respect to which Counterparty has elected the “Exchange in Lieu of Conversion” option pursuant to Section [14.02(j)] of the Indenture and (ii) that has been accepted by the designated financial institution pursuant to Section [14.02(j)] of the Indenture, except to the extent that Counterparty notifies Dealer, within five Scheduled Trading Days of the then applicable conversion settlement date determined pursuant to Section [14.02(c)] of the Indenture, that (x) such financial institution has failed to pay or deliver, as the case may be, the consideration due upon conversion of such Affected Convertible Note, or (y) such Affected Convertible Note is subsequently resubmitted to Counterparty for conversion in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; |
(B) | upon receipt of any such Early Conversion Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day as an Early Termination Date (which Exchange |
35 Include if applicable for Dealer.
36 Include in Additional Call Option Confirmation only.
22
Business Day shall be no earlier than the later of (x) one Scheduled Trading Day following the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion and (y) the date on which Counterparty provides the written notice described in Section 9(j)(i)(A) above) with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Affected Number of Options”) equal to the lesser of (x) the number of Affected Convertible Notes [minus the “Affected Number of Options” (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation), if any, that relate to such Affected Convertible Notes (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be among the Affected Number of Options hereunder or under, and as defined in, the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Affected Convertible Notes specified in such Early Conversion Notice shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated)]37 and (y) the Number of Options as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion;
(C) | any payment hereunder with respect to such termination shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (x) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the Affected Number of Options, (y) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event and (z) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole Affected Transaction; |
(D) | for the avoidance of doubt, in determining the amount payable in respect of such Affected Transaction pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement, the Calculation Agent shall assume that (x) the relevant Early Conversion and any conversions, adjustments, agreements, payments, deliveries or acquisitions by or on behalf of Counterparty leading thereto had not occurred, (y) no adjustments to the Conversion Rate have occurred pursuant to any Excluded Provision and (z) the corresponding Convertible Notes remain outstanding; and |
(E) | the Transaction shall remain in full force and effect, except that, as of the Conversion Date for such Early Conversion, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the Affected Number of Options. |
(ii) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation if an event of default with respect to Counterparty occurs under the terms of the Convertible Notes as set forth in Section [6.01]38 of the Indenture, and such event of default results in the Convertible Notes becoming or being declared due and payable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, then such event of default shall constitute an Additional Termination Event applicable to the Transaction and, with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (A) Counterparty shall be deemed to be the sole Affected Party, (B) the Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction and (C) Dealer shall be the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Agreement. |
(iii) | Within five Scheduled Trading Days following any Repayment Event (as defined below), Counterparty (1) shall (solely to the extent that such Repayment Event results directly from a “Fundamental Change” (as defined in the Indenture) or pursuant to a redemption of Convertible Notes pursuant to Article 16 of the Indenture), and (2) otherwise, may, at its option, notify Dealer of such Repayment Event and the aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes subject to such Repayment Event (any such notice, a “Repayment Notice”); provided that in the case of clause (2) only, any such Repayment Notice shall contain an acknowledgement by Counterparty of its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, and in particular Section 9 and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and the |
37 Include in Additional Call Option Confirmation only.
38 Include cross-reference to the Indenture section containing events of default.
23
rules and regulations thereunder, in respect of such Repayment Event and the delivery of such Repayment Notice, and a representation by Counterparty that the representations set forth in Section 8(c) are true and correct as of the date of such Repayment Notice. [Any Repayment Notice delivered to Dealer pursuant to the Base Call Option Confirmation shall be deemed to be a Repayment Notice pursuant to this Confirmation and the terms of such Repayment Notice shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Confirmation.]39 The receipt by Dealer from Counterparty of any Repayment Notice shall constitute an Additional Termination Event as provided in this Section 9(j)(iii). Upon receipt of any such Repayment Notice, Dealer shall designate an Exchange Business Day following receipt of such Repayment Notice (which Exchange Business Day shall be on or as promptly as reasonably practicable after the later of (x) the related repurchase settlement date for the relevant Repayment Event and (y) the date on which Counterparty provides the Repayment Notice described in this Section 9(j)(iii)) as an Early Termination Date with respect to the portion of the Transaction corresponding to a number of Options (the “Repayment Options”) equal to the lesser of (A) [(x)] the aggregate principal amount of such Convertible Notes specified in such Repayment Notice, divided by USD 1,000, [minus (y) the number of “Repayment Options” (as defined in the Base Call Option Confirmation), if any, that relate to such Convertible Notes (and for the purposes of determining whether any Options under this Confirmation or under the Base Call Option Confirmation will be among the Repayment Options hereunder or under, and as defined in, the Base Call Option Confirmation, the Convertible Notes specified in such Repayment Notice shall be allocated first to the Base Call Option Confirmation until all Options thereunder are exercised or terminated),]40 and (B) the Number of Options as of the date Dealer designates such Early Termination Date and, as of such date, the Number of Options shall be reduced by the number of Repayment Options. Any payment hereunder with respect to such termination (the “Repayment Unwind Payment”) shall be calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement as if (1) an Early Termination Date had been designated in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Options equal to the number of Repayment Options, (2) Counterparty were the sole Affected Party with respect to such Additional Termination Event, (3) no adjustments to the Conversion Rate have occurred pursuant to an Excluded Provision, (4) the corresponding Convertible Notes remain outstanding and (5) the terminated portion of the Transaction were the sole Affected Transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, solely for purposes of calculating the amount payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Counterparty shall assume that the relevant Repayment Event (and, if applicable, the related Fundamental Change and the announcement of such Fundamental Change) had not occurred. “Repayment Event” means that (i) any Convertible Notes are repurchased or redeemed (whether in connection with or as a result of a fundamental change, howsoever defined, or for any other reason) by Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) any Convertible Notes are delivered to Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries in exchange for delivery of any property or assets of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries (howsoever described), (iii) any principal of any of the Convertible Notes is repaid prior to the final maturity date of the Convertible Notes (for any reason other than as a result of an acceleration of the Convertible Notes that results in an Additional Termination Event pursuant to the preceding Section 9(j)(ii)), or (iv) any Convertible Notes are exchanged by or for the benefit of the Holders thereof for any other securities of Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries (or any other property, or any combination thereof) pursuant to any exchange offer or similar transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, any conversion of Convertible Notes (whether into cash, Shares, Reference Property (as defined in the Indenture) or any combination thereof) pursuant to the terms of the Indenture shall not constitute a Repayment Event.
(iv) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Confirmation, if an Early Conversion or Repayment Event in respect of Convertible Notes occurs but an Additional Termination |
39 Include in Additional Call Option Confirmation only.
40 Include in the Additional Call Option Confirmation.
24
Event does not occur in respect of such Early Conversion or Repayment Event, as the case may be, under Section 9(j)(i) or Section 9(j)(iii), as the case may be, then for all purposes hereunder, the Indenture and such Convertible Notes shall be deemed to remain outstanding regardless of whether such Convertible Notes are actually outstanding following such Early Conversion or Repayment Event, as the case may be.
(k) | Amendments to Equity Definitions. |
(i) | Section 11.2(e)(v) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding the phrase “, provided that, notwithstanding this Section 11.2(e), the parties hereto agree that, with respect to any Transaction, the following repurchases of Shares by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries shall not be considered Potential Adjustment Events (1) any reacquisition of Shares pursuant to Counterparty’s employee incentive plans in connection with the related equity transactions, or Counterparty’s withholding of Shares to cover tax liabilities associated with such equity transactions, and (2) to the extent the aggregate amount of such repurchases effected during the term of such Transaction does not exceed USD 200 million: (x) in any calendar year, repurchases of Shares in open-market transactions or privately negotiated accelerated Share repurchase (or similar) transactions that do not, in the aggregate, exceed USD 60 million in such calendar year, and (y) in any calendar quarter, privately negotiated accelerated Share repurchase (or similar) transactions that do not, in the aggregate, exceed USD 20 million in such calendar quarter” at the end of such Section. |
(ii) | Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby replaced in its entirety with the words “any other corporate event involving the Issuer that has a material economic effect on the Shares or Options.” |
(iii) | Section 12.9(b)(i) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (1) replacing “such an event” in the second line thereof with “(x) an Insolvency Filing or (y) a Change in Law”, (2) inserting the words “(as applicable)” immediately following the words “notice to the other party” in the fourth line thereof and (3) inserting immediately prior to the period at the end thereof with the words “; provided that Counterparty may only elect to terminate the Transaction upon the occurrence of a Change in Law if concurrently with electing to terminate the Transaction Counterparty represents and warrants to Dealer that it is not in possession of any material non-public information with respect to Counterparty or the Shares”. |
(iv) | Section 12.9(b)(vi) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding the phrase “, provided that in connection with any election by the Non-Hedging Party to terminate the Transaction, it acknowledges to Dealer, as of the date of such election, its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, and in particular Section 9 and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder” at the end of subsection (C). |
(l) | No Collateral or Setoff. Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, no obligations of either party hereunder are secured by any collateral. Each party waives any and all rights it may have to set off obligations arising under the Agreement and the Transaction against other obligations between the parties, whether arising under any other agreement, applicable law or otherwise. |
(m) | Alternative Calculations and Payment on Early Termination and on Certain Extraordinary Events. If (a) an Early Termination Date (whether as a result of an Event of Default or a Termination Event) occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction or (b) the Transaction is cancelled or terminated upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary Event (except as a result of (i) a Nationalization, Insolvency or Merger Event in which the consideration to be paid to holders of Shares consists solely of cash, (ii) an Announcement Event or Merger Event that is within Counterparty’s control, or (iii) an Event of Default in which Counterparty is the Defaulting Party or a Termination Event in which Counterparty is the Affected Party other than an Event of Default of the type described in Section 5(a)(iii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of the Agreement or a Termination |
25
Event of the type described in Section 5(b) of the Agreement, in each case that resulted from an event or events outside Counterparty’s control), and if Dealer would owe any amount to Counterparty pursuant to Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement or any Cancellation Amount pursuant to Article 12 of the Equity Definitions (any such amount, a “Payment Obligation”), then Dealer shall satisfy the Payment Obligation by the Share Termination Alternative (as defined below), unless (a) Counterparty gives irrevocable telephonic notice to Dealer, confirmed in writing within one Scheduled Trading Day, no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of the Announcement Event, Merger Date, Announcement Date (in the case of a Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting), Early Termination Date or date of cancellation, as applicable, of its election that the Share Termination Alternative shall not apply and (b) Counterparty acknowledges to Dealer, as of the date of such election, its responsibilities under applicable securities laws, and in particular Section 9 and Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, in connection with such election, in which case the provisions of Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, or the provisions of Section 6(d)(ii) of the Agreement, as the case may be, shall apply.
Share Termination Alternative: | If applicable, Dealer shall deliver to Counterparty the Share Termination Delivery Property on, or within a commercially reasonable period of time after, the date when the relevant Payment Obligation would otherwise be due pursuant to Section 12.7 or 12.9 of the Equity Definitions or Section 6(d)(ii) and 6(e) of the Agreement, as applicable, in satisfaction of such Payment Obligation in the manner reasonably requested by Counterparty free of payment. | |
Share Termination Delivery Property: | A number of Share Termination Delivery Units, as calculated by the Calculation Agent, equal to the Payment Obligation, divided by the Share Termination Unit Price. The Calculation Agent shall adjust the Share Termination Delivery Property by replacing any fractional portion of a security therein with an amount of cash equal to the value of such fractional security based on the values used to calculate the Share Termination Unit Price. | |
Share Termination Unit Price: | The value to Dealer of property contained in one Share Termination Delivery Unit, as determined by the Calculation Agent in its good faith discretion by commercially reasonable means and notified by the Calculation Agent to Dealer at the time of notification of the Payment Obligation. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that in determining the Share Termination Delivery Unit Price the Calculation Agent may consider the purchase price paid in connection with the purchase of Share Termination Delivery Property. | |
Share Termination Delivery Unit: | In the case of a Termination Event, Event of Default, Delisting or Additional Disruption Event, one Share or, in the case of an Insolvency, Nationalization or Merger Event, one Share or a unit consisting of the number or amount of each type of property received by holders of all or substantially all Shares (determined on a per Share basis and without consideration of any requirement to pay cash or other consideration in lieu of fractional amounts of any |
26
securities) in such Insolvency, Nationalization or Merger Event, as applicable. If such Insolvency, Nationalization or Merger Event involves a choice of consideration to be received by holders, such holder shall be deemed to have elected to receive the maximum possible amount of cash.
Failure to Deliver: | Applicable | |
Other applicable provisions: | If Share Termination Alternative is applicable, the provisions of Sections 9.8, 9.9 and 9.11 (as modified above) of the Equity Definitions and the provisions set forth opposite the caption “Representation and Agreement” in Section 2 will be applicable, except that all references in such provisions to “Physically-settled” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Settled” and all references to “Shares” shall be read as references to “Share Termination Delivery Units”. “Share Termination Settled” in relation to the Transaction means that Share Termination Alternative is applicable to the Transaction. |
(n) | Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding relating to the Transaction. Each party (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of either party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of such a suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into the Transaction, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications provided herein. |
(o) | Registration. Counterparty hereby agrees that if, in the good faith reasonable judgment of Dealer based on advice of counsel, the Shares (“Hedge Shares”) acquired by Dealer for the purpose of hedging its obligations pursuant to the Transaction cannot be sold in the U.S. public market by Dealer without registration under the Securities Act (other than as a result of Dealer being or having been in the three months preceding an “affiliate” (as defined under Rule 144) of Counterparty), Counterparty shall, at its election, either (i) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a registered offering, make available to Dealer an effective registration statement under the Securities Act to cover the resale of such Hedge Shares and enter into an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Dealer, substantially in the form of an underwriting agreement for a registered secondary offering; provided, however, that if Dealer, in its sole reasonable discretion, is not satisfied with access to due diligence materials, the results of its due diligence investigation, or the procedures and documentation for the registered offering referred to above, then clause (ii) or clause (iii) of this paragraph shall apply at the election of Counterparty, (ii) in order to allow Dealer to sell the Hedge Shares in a private placement, enter into a private placement agreement substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities of similar size and type, in form and substance satisfactory to Dealer (in which case, the Calculation Agent shall make any adjustments to the terms of the Transaction that are necessary, in its reasonable judgment, to compensate Dealer for any discount from the public market price of the Shares incurred on the sale of Hedge Shares in a private placement of similar size and type), or (iii) purchase the Hedge Shares from Dealer at the Relevant Price on such Exchange Business Days, and in the amounts, requested by Dealer. |
(p) | Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. |
27
(q) | Right to Extend. Dealer may postpone or add, in whole or, other than in the event Dealer determines in good faith that such postponement or addition resulted solely pursuant to the circumstances set forth in clause (ii)(y) below, in part, any Valid Day or Valid Days during the Settlement Averaging Period or any other date of valuation, payment or delivery by Dealer, with respect to some or all of the Options hereunder, if Dealer reasonably determines, based on the advice of counsel in the case of the immediately following clause (ii), that such action is reasonably necessary or appropriate (i) to preserve Dealer’s commercially reasonable hedging or hedge unwind activity hereunder in light of existing liquidity conditions or (ii) to enable Dealer to effect purchases of Shares in connection with its commercially reasonable hedging, hedge unwind or settlement activity hereunder in a manner that would, if Dealer were Counterparty or an affiliated purchaser of Counterparty, be in compliance (x) with applicable legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements, or (y) with related policies and procedures applicable to Dealer, consistently applied across transactions similar to the Transaction and for counterparties similar to Counterparty; provided that no such Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery may be postponed or added more than 40 Valid Days after the original Valid Day or other date of valuation, payment or delivery, as the case may be. |
(r) | Status of Claims in Bankruptcy. Dealer acknowledges and agrees that this Confirmation is not intended to convey to Dealer rights against Counterparty with respect to the Transaction that are senior to the claims of common stockholders of Counterparty in any United States bankruptcy proceedings of Counterparty; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Counterparty of its obligations and agreements with respect to the Transaction; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Dealer’s rights in respect of any transactions other than the Transaction. |
(s) | Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be a “securities contract” and a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “Bankruptcy Code”), and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the Agreement with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code. |
(t) | Notice of Certain Other Events. Counterparty covenants and agrees that: |
(i) | promptly following the public announcement of the results of any election by the holders of Shares with respect to the consideration due upon consummation of any Merger Event, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration actually received by holders of Shares (the date of such notification, the “Consideration Notification Date”); provided that in no event shall the Consideration Notification Date be later than the date on which such Merger Event is consummated; and |
(ii) | (A) Counterparty shall give Dealer commercially reasonable advance (but in any event at least one Exchange Business Day prior to the relevant Adjustment Notice Deadline) written notice of the section or sections of the Indenture and, if applicable, the formula therein, pursuant to which any adjustment will be made to the Convertible Notes in connection with any Potential Adjustment Event (other than a Potential Adjustment in respect of the Dilution Adjustment Provision set forth in Section [14.04(b)] or Section [14.04(d)]) or Merger Event and (B) promptly following any such adjustment, Counterparty shall give Dealer written notice of the details of such adjustment. The “Adjustment Notice Deadline” means (i) for any Potential Adjustment in respect of the Dilution Adjustment Provision set forth in Section [14.04(a)] of the Indenture, the relevant Ex-Dividend Date (as such term is defined in the Indenture) or Effective Date (as such term is defined in the Indenture), as the case may be, (ii) for any Potential Adjustment in respect of the Dilution Adjustment Provision in the first formula set forth |
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in Section [14.04(c)] of the Indenture, the first Trading Day (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the period referred to in the definition of “SP0” in such formula, (iii) for any Potential Adjustment in respect of the Dilution Adjustment Provision in the second formula set forth in Section [14.04(c)] of the Indenture, the first Trading Day (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the Valuation Period (as such term is defined in the Indenture), (iv) for any Potential Adjustment in respect of the Dilution Adjustment Provision set forth in Section [14.04(e)] of the Indenture, the first Trading Day (as such term is defined in the Indenture) of the period referred to in the definition of “SP1” in the formula in such Section, and (v) for any Merger Event, the effective date of such Merger Event (or, if earlier, the first day of any valuation or similar period in respect of such Merger Event).
(u) | [Reserved]. |
(v) | Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act. In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (“WSTAA”), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under the WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, shall limit or otherwise impair either party’s otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the Agreement, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the Agreement (including, but not limited to, rights arising from Change in Law, Hedging Disruption, Increased Cost of Hedging, an Excess Ownership Position, or Illegality (as defined in the Agreement)). |
(w) | Agreements and Acknowledgments Regarding Hedging. Counterparty understands, acknowledges and agrees that: (A) at any time on and prior to the Expiration Date, Dealer and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to adjust its hedge position with respect to the Transaction; (B) Dealer and its affiliates also may be active in the market for Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction; (C) Dealer shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any hedging or market activities in securities of Counterparty or its Affiliates shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price and market risk with respect to the Relevant Prices; and (D) any market activities of Dealer and its affiliates with respect to Shares may affect the market price and volatility of Shares, as well as the Relevant Prices, each in a manner that may be adverse to Counterparty. |
(x) | Early Unwind. In the event the sale of the [“Firm Securities”]41[“Optional Securities”]42 (as defined in the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of [______], 2022, among Counterparty, the guarantors party thereto, and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representatives of the Initial Purchasers party thereto (the “Initial Purchasers”)) is not consummated with the Initial Purchasers for any reason, or Counterparty fails to deliver to Dealer any opinion of counsel required pursuant to Section 9(a), in each case by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Premium Payment Date, or such later date as agreed upon by the parties (the Premium Payment Date or such later date, the “Early Unwind Date”), the Transaction shall automatically terminate (the “Early Unwind”) on the Early Unwind Date and (i) the Transaction and all of the respective rights and obligations of Dealer and Counterparty under the Transaction shall be cancelled and terminated and (ii) each party shall be released and discharged by the other party from and agrees not to make any claim against the other party with respect to any obligations or liabilities of the other party arising out of and to be performed in connection with the Transaction either prior to or after the Early Unwind Date or Premium Payment Date, as the case may be. Each of Dealer and Counterparty represents |
41 Insert for Base Call Option Confirmation.
42 Insert for Additional Call Option Confirmation.
29
and acknowledges to the other that, upon an Early Unwind, all obligations with respect to the Transaction shall be deemed fully and finally discharged.
(y) | Payment by Counterparty. In the event that, following payment of the Premium, (i) an Early Termination Date occurs or is designated with respect to the Transaction as a result of a Termination Event or an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 5(a)(ii) or 5(a)(iv) of the Agreement) and, as a result, Counterparty owes to Dealer an amount calculated under Section 6(e) of the Agreement, or (ii) Counterparty owes to Dealer, pursuant to Section 12.7 or Section 12.9 of the Equity Definitions, an amount calculated under Section 12.8 of the Equity Definitions, such amount shall be deemed to be zero. |
(z) | Resolution Stay Protocol and Bail-In Protocol. [Insert relevant resolution stay / BRRD / QFC provision] |
(aa) | Tax Matters. |
(i) | Withholding Tax imposed on payments to certain non-US counterparties. “Tax,” as used in Section 9(aa)(iii) of this Confirmation (Payor Tax Representations), and “Indemnifiable Tax,” as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement, shall not include (A) any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed or collected pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (a “FATCA Withholding Tax”) or (B) any tax imposed or collected pursuant to Section 871(m) of the Code or any current or future regulations or official interpretation thereof (a “Section 871(m) Withholding Tax”). For the avoidance of doubt each of a FATCA Withholding Tax and a Section 871(m) Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d) of the Agreement. |
(ii) | Tax Documentation. [For the purpose of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, Counterparty shall provide to Dealer a valid U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, or any successor form, and Dealer shall provide to Counterparty a valid U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form [__]43, or any successor form, (i) on or before the date of execution of this Confirmation and (ii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided by it has become obsolete or incorrect. Additionally, each party shall, promptly upon request by the other party, provide such other tax forms and documents reasonably requested by the other party.]44 |
(iii) | Payor Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(e) of the Agreement, each party makes the following representation: |
It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 9(h) of the Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under the Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representations made by the other party pursuant to Section 9(aa)(iv) of this Confirmation, (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of the Agreement and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in the last sentence of Section 9(aa)(iv) of this Confirmation, except that it will not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on clause
43 To reflect appropriate tax forms for Dealer.
44 To be updated as necessary to reflect appropriate tax forms for Dealer.
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(ii) above and the other party does not deliver a form or document under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.
(iv) | Payee Tax Representations. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement, Counterparty makes the following representations to Dealer: |
Counterparty is (x) a “U.S. person” (as that term is used in section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii) of United States Treasury Regulations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) an exempt recipient under United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.6049-4(c)(1)(ii).
For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement, Dealer makes the following representation to Counterparty:
Dealer is [__]45
Each party agrees to give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under this Section 9(aa)(iv) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.
(bb) | Other Adjustments Pursuant to the Equity Definitions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, the Equity Definitions or this Confirmation, upon the occurrence of a Merger Date, the occurrence of a Tender Offer Date, or declaration by Counterparty of the terms of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent shall determine in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner whether such occurrence or declaration, as applicable, has had a material economic effect on the Transaction, and if so, shall, in its good faith and commercially reasonable discretion, adjust the Cap Price to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such occurrence or declaration; provided that in no event shall the Cap Price be less than the Strike Price; and provided further that any adjustment to the Cap Price made pursuant to this section shall be made without duplication of any other adjustment hereunder. Solely for purposes of this Section 9(bb): (x) the terms “Potential Adjustment Event,” “Merger Event,” and “Tender Offer” shall each have the meanings assigned to each such term in the Equity Definitions (in the case of the definition of “Potential Adjustment Event”, as amended by Section 9(k) of this Confirmation, and in the case of the definition of “Tender Offer”, as amended by the provisions opposite the caption “Announcement Event” in Section 3 of this Confirmation) and (y) “Extraordinary Dividend” means any cash dividend on the Shares that is greater than the Regular Dividend (determined on a per quarter basis). |
(cc) | CARES Act. Counterparty represents and warrants that it and any of its subsidiaries has not applied, and shall not, until after the first date on which no portion of the Transaction remains outstanding following any final exercise and settlement, cancellation or early termination of the Transaction, apply, for a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”)) or other investment, or to receive any financial assistance or relief under any program or facility (collectively “Financial Assistance”) that (a) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) (i) requires under applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) as a condition of such Financial Assistance, that the Counterparty comply with any requirement not to, or otherwise agree, attest, certify or warrant that it has not, as of the date specified in such condition, repurchased, or will not repurchase, any equity security of Counterparty, and that Counterparty has not, as of the date specified in the condition, made a capital distribution or will not make a capital distribution, or (ii) where the terms of the Transaction would cause Counterparty to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of the Financial Assistance (collectively “Restricted Financial Assistance”); provided, that Counterparty or any of its subsidiaries may apply for Restricted Financial Assistance if Counterparty either (a) determines based on the advice of outside counsel of national standing that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Counterparty or any of its |
45 To be updated as necessary to reflect appropriate tax representations for Dealer.
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subsidiaries to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such Financial Assistance based on the terms of the program or facility as of the date of such advice or (b) delivers to Dealer evidence or other guidance from a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility that the Transaction is permitted under such program or facility (either by specific reference to the Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of the Transaction in all relevant respects). Counterparty further represents and warrants that the Premium is not being paid, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with funds received under or pursuant to any program or facility, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s “Paycheck Protection Program”, that (a) is established under applicable law (whether in existence as of the Trade Date or subsequently enacted, adopted or amended), including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) requires under such applicable law (or any regulation, guidance, interpretation or other pronouncement of a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility) that such funds be used for specified or enumerated purposes that do not include the purchase of the Transaction (either by specific reference to the Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of the Transaction in all relevant respects).46
(dd) | REIT Matters. The parties agree that for all purposes of the Agreement and this Confirmation, the terms “Beneficial Ownership” and “Constructive Ownership” in Article Seven of Counterparty’s corporate charter, as in effect under the General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland on the date hereof (the “Charter”) shall not include shares held by Dealer or its affiliates to the extent such shares are held in a purely fiduciary capacity and such shares shall not be considered Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by Dealer or its affiliates under the Charter. |
46 NTD – To be conformed to preferred boilerplate of relevant bank counterparty.
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Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing this Confirmation and returning it to Dealer.
Very truly yours,
[Dealer] | ||
By: | ||
Authorized Signatory | ||
Name: |
Accepted and confirmed
as of the Trade Date:
Uniti Group Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Authorized Signatory | ||
Name: |