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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2009

Registration No. 333-            

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549



FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



DINEEQUITY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  95-3038279
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)



450 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, California 91203-1903
(818) 240-6055
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



Mark D. Weisberger
Vice President, Legal, Secretary and General Counsel
450 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, California 91203-1903
(818) 240-6055
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copy to:
Rodrigo A. Guerra, Jr.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90071
(213) 687-5000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

           If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.      o

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.     ý

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

           If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.     o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.     o

           Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ý   Accelerated filer  o   Non-accelerated filer  o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company  o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered

  Amount to be
Registered(1)

  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit(2)

  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)(2)

  Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

 

Common Stock

               
 

Preferred Stock

               
 

Depositary Shares

               
 

Debt Securities

               
 

Subscription Rights

               
 

Warrants

               
 

Stock Purchase Contracts

               
 

Stock Purchase Units

               
 
 

Total

  $200,000,000   100%   $200,000,000   $11,160

 

(1)
Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Subject to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, the aggregate public offering price of the securities registered hereby will not exceed $200,000,000, or if any securities are issued in any foreign currencies, composite currencies or currency units, the U.S. dollar equivalent of $200,000,000. An indeterminate number or amount of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Rights, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units are being registered as may from time to time be offered at currently indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, repurchase, exchange or exercise of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. Securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act and exclusive of accrued interest and dividends, if any.

(3)
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act, based on the maximum aggregate offering price of all securities registered hereunder.



            The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment that specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.


The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to completion, dated July 28, 2009

Prospectus

GRAPHIC

$200,000,000

DINEEQUITY, INC.

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Warrants
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units



        DineEquity, Inc. may offer from time to time, together or separately, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, subscription rights, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms of the securities we may offer. The specific terms of any securities we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" before you make your investment decision.

        We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and will set forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commissions or discount arrangements.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DIN."

         Investing in our securities involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 2 of this prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as in any of our subsequently filed quarterly or current reports that are incorporated herein by reference and in any accompanying prospectus supplement.



         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



The date of this prospectus is                    , 2009.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page

About This Prospectus

  i

Where You Can Find More Information

  1

Risk Factors

  2

Forward-Looking Statements

  3

The Company

  4

Use of Proceeds

  4

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

  5

Description of Capital Stock

  6

Description of Depositary Shares

  13

Description of Debt Securities

  16

Description of Subscription Rights

  25

Description of Warrants

  26

Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

  29

Plan of Distribution

  30

Legal Matters

  33

Experts

  33


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") using a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $200 million.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering and the manner in which the securities will be offered. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. We urge you to read both this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" before you make your investment decision.

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplements and any applicable free writing prospectuses. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

        This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials do not contain all of the information included in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement on Form S-3, including its exhibits. We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, therefore, file reports and other information with the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents.

i


        You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other offering materials is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

        In this prospectus, we refer to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units collectively as the "securities." Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "company," "we," "our," "ours" and "us" refer collectively to DineEquity, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies except that in the discussion of the capital stock and related matters, these terms refer solely to DineEquity, Inc.

ii



WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file and furnish annual, quarterly and current reports and other information, including proxy statements, with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file or furnish with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available through the "Investor Info" section of our website at www.dineequity.com.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered part of this prospectus, and information filed with the SEC subsequent to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been "furnished" but not "filed" for purposes of the Exchange Act):

        We also incorporate by reference all documents we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (including prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and prior to the termination of the offering. Any statement in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in this prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement.

        Information furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit) in any past or future current report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, unless otherwise specified in such report, is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

        We will provide without charge upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Requests should be directed to:

DineEquity, Inc.
450 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, California 91203-1903
Attn: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (818) 240-6055

        Except as provided above, no other information, including information on our internet site, is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

1



RISK FACTORS

        You should consider the specific risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, the risk factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 1 of this prospectus.

2



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business or financial results, new features or services, or management strategies). Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While we believe that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements.

        Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "plans," "anticipates," "targets," "outlooks," "initiatives," "visions," "objectives," "strategies," "opportunities," "drivers," "intends," "scheduled to," "seeks," "may," "will," or "should" or the negative of those terms, or other variations of those terms or comparable language, or by discussions of strategy, plans, targets, models or intentions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and except for our ongoing obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as in any of our subsequently filed quarterly or current reports that are incorporated herein by reference and in any accompanying prospectus supplement.

3



THE COMPANY

        We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1976 under the name IHOP Corp. Effective June 2, 2008, our name was changed to DineEquity, Inc. Our principal executive offices are located at 450 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203-2306 and our telephone number is (818) 240-6055. Our internet address is www.dineequity.com.

        We currently own, operate and franchise two restaurant chains in the casual dining and family dining categories of the restaurant industry: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar® and IHOP. With nearly 3,400 franchised or owned-and-operated restaurants combined, we are one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.

Applebee's

        We develop, franchise and operate restaurants in the bar and grill segment of the casual dining category of the restaurant industry under the name "Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar®." The first Applebee's restaurant opened in 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia. With 1,992 system-wide restaurants as of March 31, 2009, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar is one of the largest casual dining concepts in the world, in terms of number of restaurants and market share. As of March 31, 2009, 43 franchisees operated 1,591 of these restaurants and 401 restaurants were company-operated. Applebee's restaurants are located in 49 states, 15 countries outside of the United States and one U.S. territory.

        Each Applebee's restaurant is designed as an attractive, friendly, neighborhood establishment featuring moderately-priced, high quality food and beverage items, including alcoholic beverages, table service and a comfortable atmosphere. Applebee's restaurants appeal to a wide range of customers, including young adults, senior citizens and families with children.

IHOP

        We develop, franchise and operate restaurants in the family dining category of the restaurant industry under the names "IHOP" and "International House of Pancakes." The first International House of Pancakes restaurant opened in 1958 in Toluca Lake, California. As of March 31, 2009, there were a total of 1,402 IHOP restaurants of which 1,231 were subject to franchise agreements, 159 were subject to area license agreements and 12 were company-operated restaurants. Franchisees and area licensees are independent third parties who are licensed by us to operate their restaurants using our trademarks, operating systems and methods and offer a broad range of entrees, appetizers, desserts and beverages specified by IHOP, including our award-winning pancakes. We own and operate 10 IHOP restaurants in the Cincinnati market primarily for testing new menu items and operational or procedural systems and for other research and development purposes. We also operate, from time to time on a temporary basis, IHOP restaurants we reacquire from IHOP franchisees. IHOP restaurants are located in 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico.

        IHOP restaurants feature full table service and moderately priced, high-quality food and beverage offerings in an attractive and comfortable atmosphere. Although the restaurants are best known for their award-winning pancakes, omelets and other breakfast specialties, IHOP restaurants offer a broad array of lunch, dinner and snack items as well. IHOP restaurants are open throughout the day and evening hours, and many operate 24 hours a day.


USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes, including without limitation, the repayment or refinancing of outstanding debt, working capital and/or capital expenditures.

4



RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

        The table below reflects our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, and each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2008.

 
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
  Years Ended December 31,  
 
  2009   2008   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends(1)

  1.66x   1.13x     0.26x (2)   0.95x (2)   2.37x     2.31x     2.04x  

(1)
For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, earnings represent income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest, less interest capitalized and preferred stock dividends. Fixed charges are the sum of total interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs, interest capitalized and one-third of rent expense, which represents our estimate of the interest component of rent expense. Preferred stock dividends means the amount of income before income taxes that is required to pay dividends on our outstanding preferred stock.

(2)
Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 by deficiencies of $206.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

5



DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        We may offer shares of common stock or preferred stock. The following descriptions of our capital stock and of certain provisions of Delaware law do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to our restated certificate of incorporation ("Certificate of Incorporation"), our amended bylaws ("Bylaws") and the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). Copies of our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

        As of the date hereof, our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares, of which 40,000,000 shares are common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares are preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of July 23, 2009, there were 17,589,046 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and 225,000 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. All of our outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Common Stock

        Voting Rights.     Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

        Dividend Rights.     Subject to the dividend rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends out of assets legally available therefore at such times and in such amounts as our board of directors may from time to time determine.

        Conversion, Redemption and Preemptive Rights.     Holders of our common stock have no conversion, redemption, preemptive or similar rights.

        Liquidation.     Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, the holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our assets that are legally available for distribution, after payment of all debts, other liabilities and any liquidation preferences of outstanding preferred stock.

Preferred Stock

        Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors, without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series. We have designated 220,000 shares of our preferred stock as Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") and 35,000 shares of our preferred stock as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock"). As of July 23, 2009 there were 190,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding and 35,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. We may amend from time to time our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock. Any such amendment would require the approval of the holders of a majority of our stock entitled to vote.

        The particular terms of any series of preferred stock that we offer under this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to that series of preferred stock. Those terms may include the following:

6


7


        The summary in this prospectus is not complete. You should refer to the certificate of designations establishing a particular series of preferred stock which will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the SEC in connection with the offering of the preferred stock.

Preferred Stock—Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock

        The holders of the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock have various rights and preferences summarized as follows:

        Voting Rights.     The holders of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote on any matters to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, except (1) as required by applicable law, (2) as required to amend, modify, alter, repeal or waive any provision of the Certificate of Designation of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, and (3) that the holders of the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a separate class, with each share of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock being entitled to one vote, with respect to any proposed amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation that would (A) alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, or (B) adversely affect in any material respect the rights of such holders.

        Dividends.     Holders of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock are entitled to receive quarterly dividends at the rate of (1) 10% per annum to and including November 28, 2009, (2) 12% per annum to and including November 28, 2017 and (3) the greater of (A) 15% per annum and (B) a percentage per annum equal to the treasury rate plus 5%, after November 28, 2017. After November 28, 2008, we may elect to accumulate any dividends. In the event that dividends remain unpaid for two consecutive quarterly dividend periods, the dividend rate will increase prospectively by 2% per annum and will continue to increase prospectively by 2% for each two consecutive quarterly dividend periods thereafter; provided that the maximum dividend rate on the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock prior to the tenth anniversary of the issue date may not exceed 16% per annum. Upon payment of all accrued and unpaid dividends, the dividend rate will automatically be reduced prospectively to the applicable dividend rate set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph.

        Redemption.     We may redeem the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, at any time, for cash at the applicable redemption price plus accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock to be redeemed. In addition, upon a change of control, we will be required to redeem all of the outstanding Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock at the applicable redemption price plus accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, unless prohibited by applicable law. Prior to the fifth anniversary of the issue date, the redemption price will be at a premium to the liquidation preference for the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (up to a maximum of 105%). On and after the fifth anniversary of the issue date, the redemption price will be equal to the liquidation preference for the Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock. The Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund.

        Liquidation Preference.     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, or any other distribution of our assets, each holder of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock is entitled to receive, prior to any distribution or payment to any holders of junior securities, including holders of our common stock, an amount in cash equal to $1,000 per share of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock held by such holder, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, out of our assets available for distribution to stockholders (after payment or provision for all of our debts and other liabilities).

        Conversion.     The Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for our property or securities.

8


        Negative Covenants.     We have agreed, for the benefit of the holders of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, to the following negative covenants:

Preferred Stock—Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

        The holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock have various rights and preferences summarized as follows:

        Voting Rights.     The holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on all matters (including the election of directors) to be voted on by the holders of our common stock, voting together with the common stock as a single class, with each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock entitled to one vote for each share of common stock issuable upon conversion thereof.

        Accretion Rate and Extraordinary Dividends.     The stated value of each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, initially $1,000 per share, increases at a rate of 6% per annum, compounded quarterly (the "Accreted Value"). In the event that we declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution upon our common stock, and if such dividend or distribution (assuming the fair market value of such dividend, together with the fair market value of any other dividends or distributions paid or made by us upon our common stock in the preceding consecutive 12-month period, had been paid in cash to holders of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock based on the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at the applicable conversion rate at the beginning of such 12-month period) would have resulted in holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock having received dividends and distributions in the preceding consecutive 12-month period having a fair market value in excess of the sum of (x) the Increased Accreted Value (as defined below) for such 12-month period plus (y) any Extraordinary Dividend (as defined below) paid during such 12-month period (any such dividend in excess of such sum, the "Extraordinary Dividend"), then we will also declare and pay to the holders of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock at the same time that we declare and pay such dividend to the holders of our common stock, an Extraordinary Dividend having a fair market value equal to such excess with respect to each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. "Increased Accreted Value" means, for any 12-month period, the increase in the Accreted Value of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock from the beginning of such 12-month period to the payment date of a dividend for which a calculation is made under this paragraph.

9


        Redemption.     We may redeem the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, on and after the fourth anniversary of the issue date, for cash at a redemption price equal to the Accreted Value. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is not subject to any sinking fund.

        Liquidation Preference.     Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, or any other distribution of our assets, each holder of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is entitled to receive, prior to any distribution or payment to any holders of junior securities, including holders of our common stock, an amount in cash equal to the aggregate Accreted Value of all shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock held by such holder, out of our assets available for distribution to stockholders (after payment or provision for all of our debts and other liabilities).

        Conversion.     The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder, at any time and from time to time, into a number of shares of common stock computed by multiplying each $1,000 of aggregate Accreted Value of the shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to be converted by the conversion rate then in effect. All outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert into shares of common stock on the fifth anniversary of the issue date at the conversion rate then in effect. The initial conversion rate is 14.44878 shares of common stock per $1,000 of Accreted Value. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon certain dilutive events.

Anti-Takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and of Delaware Law

        Our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and the DGCL contain certain provisions that may have the effect of delaying, deferring, discouraging or preventing a takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders. These provisions, which are summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors.

        Special Meetings of Stockholders.     Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of our board of directors, our President or our board of directors. This provision makes it more difficult for stockholders to take action opposed by our board of directors.

        Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.     Our Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice to us thereof in writing within the time periods specified in our Bylaws. Our Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder's notice. These provisions may preclude some stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual meeting or from making nominations for directors at an annual or special meeting.

        No Stockholder Action by Written Consent.     Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing of such stockholders. This provision limits the ability of any stockholder to take action immediately and without prior notice to our board of directors.

        Classified Board of Directors.     The directors elected by the holders of common stock are divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class consists, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected for a three-year term. In addition, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease will be

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apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class will hold office for a term that will coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Our Bylaws provide that directors may be removed by our stockholders only for cause.

        No Cumulative Voting.     The DGCL provides that stockholders of a Delaware corporation are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless its certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting. A cumulative voting provision could make it easier for minority stockholders to elect one or more directors to our board of directors.

        Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock.     Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue common stock or one or more series of preferred stock and to determine, with respect to any such series of preferred stock, the number of shares to be included in any series and the designation, relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series of preferred stock. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions. The DGCL does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of previously authorized shares of our capital stock. However, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, which will apply so long as our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, require stockholder approval of certain issuances of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of our common stock.

        One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. In addition, provisions which could discourage an unsolicited tender offer or takeover proposal, such as extraordinary voting, dividend, redemption or conversion rights, could be included in a series of preferred stock.

        Delaware Business Combination Statute.     We are a Delaware corporation that is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 provides that, subject to certain exceptions specified in the law, a Delaware corporation shall not engage in certain "business combinations" with any "interested stockholder" for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

        A "business combination" includes certain mergers, asset or stock sales and other transactions involving the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an "interested stockholder" is any entity or person that, together with that entity's or person's affiliates and associates, owns (or within the previous three years did own) 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.

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        Section 203 could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover attempt and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.

Stock Exchange Listing

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "DIN."

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        Mellon Investor Services LLC acts as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. We will describe the particular terms of the depositary shares we offer in a prospectus supplement. The following description outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the depositary shares and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the deposit agreement and the related depositary receipts. The deposit agreement and the related depositary receipts will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents as they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of depositary shares. If any particular terms of the deposit agreement and the related depositary receipts described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

General

        If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, we will provide for the issuance by a depositary to the public of receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent fractional interests of preferred stock. We will deposit the shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The bank or trust company must have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. The depositary receipts will evidence the depositary shares issued under the deposit agreement.

        The deposit agreement will contain terms applicable to the holders of depositary shares in addition to the terms stated in the depositary receipts. Each owner of depositary shares will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in proportion to the applicable fractional interest in the underlying shares of preferred stock. The depositary will issue the depositary receipts to individuals purchasing the fractional interests in shares of the related preferred stock according to the terms of the offering described in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received for the preferred stock to the entitled record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares that the holder owns on the relevant record date. The depositary will distribute only an amount that can be distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent. The depositary will add the undistributed balance to and treat it as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to holders of depositary shares.

        If there is a non-cash distribution, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the entitled record holders of depositary shares, in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders, unless the depositary determines, after consultation with us, that it is not feasible to make such distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Conversion, Exchange and Redemption

        If any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares may be converted or exchanged, each record holder of depositary receipts will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange the depositary shares represented by the depositary receipts.

        Whenever we redeem shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, at the same time, the number of depositary shares representing the preferred stock. The depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds it receives from the corresponding redemption, in

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whole or in part, of the preferred stock. The depositary will mail a notice of redemption to the record holders of the depositary shares that are to be redeemed between 30 and 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary will select which shares are to be redeemed by lot, proportionate allocation or any other method.

        After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. When the depositary shares are no longer outstanding, all rights of the holders will end, except the right to receive money, securities or other property payable upon redemption.

Voting

        When the depositary receives notice of a meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the particulars of the meeting to the record holders of the depositary shares. Each record holder of depositary shares on the record date may instruct the depositary on how to vote the shares of preferred stock underlying the holder's depositary shares. The depositary will try, if practical, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares according to the instructions. The depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock. We will agree to take all reasonable action requested by the depositary to enable it to vote as instructed.

Record Date

        Whenever (1) any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable, any distribution other than cash shall be made, or any rights, preferences or privileges shall be offered with respect to the preferred stock, or (2) the depositary shall receive notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion or exchange of or any election on our part to call for redemption any preferred stock, the depositary shall in each such instance fix a record date (which shall be the same as the record date for the preferred stock) for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts (x) who shall be entitled to receive such dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (y) who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of such meeting or of such conversion, exchange or redemption subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.

Amendments

        We and the depositary may agree to amend the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares. Any amendment that (1) imposes or increases certain fees, taxes or other charges payable by the holders of the depositary shares as described in the deposit agreement or (2) otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of holders of depositary shares, will not take effect until 30 days after the depositary has mailed notice of the amendment to the record holders of depositary shares. Any holder of depositary shares that continues to hold its shares at the end of the 30-day period will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment.

Termination

        We may direct the depositary to terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a notice of termination to holders of depositary shares at least 30 days prior to termination. In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

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        The depositary may likewise terminate the deposit agreement if at any time 60 days shall have expired after the depositary shall have delivered to us a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment. If any depositary receipts remain outstanding after the date of termination, the depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of depositary receipts, will suspend the distribution of dividends to the holders thereof, and will not give any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any further acts under the deposit agreement except as provided below and except that the depositary will continue (1) to collect dividends on the preferred stock and any other distributions with respect thereto and (2) to deliver the preferred stock together with such dividends and distributions and the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other property, without liability for interest thereon, in exchange for depositary receipts surrendered. At any time after the expiration of two years from the date of termination, the depositary may sell the preferred stock then held by it at public or private sales, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any money and other property then held by it, without liability for interest thereon, for the pro rata benefit of the holders of depositary receipts which have not been surrendered.

Payment of Fees and Expenses

        We will pay all fees, charges and expenses of the depositary, including the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any conversion, exchange or redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are stated in the deposit agreement for their accounts.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        At any time, the depositary may resign by delivering notice to us, and we may remove the depositary. Resignations or removals will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Reports

        The depositary will forward to the holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required by law, the rules of an applicable securities exchange or our restated certificate of incorporation to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond our or its control in performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement limits our obligations and the depositary's obligations to performance in good faith of the duties stated in the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding connected with any depositary shares or preferred stock unless the holders of depositary shares requesting us or the depositary to do so furnish us or the depositary, as applicable, with satisfactory indemnity. In performing our obligations, we and the depositary may rely upon the written advice of counsel or accountants, on any information that competent people provide to us or the depositary and on documents that we or the depositary believe are genuine.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

        The following descriptions of the debt securities do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the form of indenture, which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Any future supplemental indenture or similar document also will be so filed. You should read the indenture and any supplemental indenture or similar document because they, and not this description, define your rights as holder of our debt securities. All capitalized terms have the meanings specified in the indenture.

        We may issue, from time to time, debt securities, in one or more series, that will consist of either our senior debt ("Senior Debt Securities"), our senior subordinated debt ("Senior Subordinated Debt Securities"), our subordinated debt ("Subordinated Debt Securities") or our junior subordinated debt ("Junior Subordinated Debt Securities" and, together with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities, the "Subordinated Securities"). The debt securities we offer will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee to be named therein. Debt securities, whether senior, senior subordinated, subordinated or junior subordinated, may be issued as convertible debt securities or exchangeable debt securities.

General Terms of the Indenture

        The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of any debt securities protection with respect to our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.

        We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as "discount securities," which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be treated as if they were issued with "original issue discount," or "OID," because of interest payment and other characteristics. Special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with original issue discount will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.

        The applicable prospectus supplement for a series of debt securities that we issue will describe, among other things, the following terms of the offered debt securities:

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        The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth certain U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of any debt securities and the securities exchange or quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or quoted, if any.

        Debt securities issued by us will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, except to the extent any such subsidiary guarantees or is otherwise obligated to make payment on such debt securities.

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time without consent of any holder.

Senior Debt Securities

        Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Senior Debt Securities will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

Senior Subordinated Debt Securities

        Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Senior

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Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.

Subordinated Debt Securities

        Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated and senior subordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.

Junior Subordinated Debt Securities

        Payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Junior Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsubordinated, senior subordinated and subordinated debt. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any Junior Subordinated Debt Securities the subordination terms of such securities as well as the aggregate amount of outstanding debt, as of the most recent practicable date, that by its terms would be senior to the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities. We will also set forth in such prospectus supplement limitations, if any, on issuance of additional senior debt.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

        Debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property of the company. The terms and conditions of conversion or exchange will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include, among others, the following:

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

        We cannot consolidate or merge with or into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets to, any person unless (a) we will be the continuing corporation or (b) the successor corporation or person to which our assets are transferred or leased is a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and it expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture. In addition, we cannot effect such a transaction unless immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing. Subject to certain exceptions, when the person to whom our assets are transferred or leased has assumed our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, we shall be discharged from all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture, except in limited circumstances.

        This covenant would not apply to any recapitalization transaction, a change of control of the company or a highly leveraged transaction, unless the transaction or change of control were structured to include a merger or consolidation or transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our assets.

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Events of Default

        Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Event of Default," when used in the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series, means any of the following:

        An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. If an Event of Default relating to the payment of interest, principal or any sinking fund installment involving any series of debt securities has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series may declare the entire principal of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.

        If an Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of 90 days after notice of such, or if any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing involving all of the series of Senior Debt Securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of Senior Debt Securities may declare the entire principal amount of all of the series of Senior Debt Securities due and payable immediately.

        Similarly, if an Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants occurs and is continuing for a period of 90 days after notice of such, or if any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing involving all of the series of Subordinated Securities, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the series of Subordinated Securities may declare the entire principal amount of all of the series of Subordinated Securities due and payable immediately.

        If, however, the Event of Default relating to the performance of other covenants or any other Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing is for less than all of the series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of each affected series of the Senior Debt Securities or the Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, may declare the entire principal amount of all debt securities of such affected series due and payable immediately. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series may, after satisfying conditions, rescind and annul any of the above-described declarations and consequences involving the series.

        If an Event of Default relating to events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the company occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the debt securities outstanding, and any accrued interest, will automatically become due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any holder.

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        The indenture imposes limitations on suits brought by holders of debt securities against us. Except as provided below, no holder of debt securities of any series may institute any action against us under the indenture unless:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder of debt securities of any series has the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, such debt securities when due and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights may not be impaired without the consent of that holder of debt securities.

        We will be required to file annually with the trustee a certificate, signed by an officer of the company, stating whether or not the officer knows of any default by us in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any condition or covenant of the indenture.

Registered Global Securities

        We may issue the debt securities of a series in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities that we will deposit with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement and registered in the name of such depositary or nominee. In such case, we will issue one or more registered global securities denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the debt securities of the series to be issued and represented by such registered global security or securities.

        Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

        The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of such series represented by a registered global security. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements for debt securities:

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        The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may limit the ability of those persons to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in registered global securities.

        So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security:

        Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary for the registered global security and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of a participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

        We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary for the registered global security would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.

        We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owners of the registered global security. None of the company, the trustee or any other agent of the company or the trustee will be responsible or liable for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the registered global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

        We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that standing customer instructions and customary practices will govern payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." We also expect that any of these payments will be the responsibility of the participants.

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        If the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, we will appoint an eligible successor depositary. If we fail to appoint an eligible successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue the debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion decide not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In such event, we will issue debt securities of that series in a definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the debt securities. The trustee will register any debt securities issued in definitive form in exchange for a registered global security in such name or names as the depositary, based upon instructions from its participants, shall instruct the trustee.

        We may also issue bearer debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global securities, referred to as "bearer global securities." We will deposit these bearer global securities with a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or with a nominee for the depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities represented by a bearer global security will describe the specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement and any specific procedures for the issuance of debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a bearer global security, with respect to the portion of the series represented by a bearer global security.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

        We can discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as set forth below. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the subordination provisions applicable to any Subordinated Securities will be expressly made subject to the discharge and defeasance provisions of the indenture.

        We may discharge our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption within one year). We may effect a discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee cash or U.S. government obligations, as trust funds, in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due, whether at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities and any mandatory sinking fund payments.

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may also discharge any and all of our obligations to holders of any series of debt securities at any time ("legal defeasance"). We also may be released from the obligations imposed by any covenants of any outstanding series of debt securities and provisions of the indenture, and we may omit to comply with those covenants without creating an Event of Default ("covenant defeasance"). We may effect legal defeasance and covenant defeasance only if, among other things:

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        Although we may discharge or defease our obligations under the indenture as described in the two preceding paragraphs, we may not avoid, among other things, our duty to register the transfer or exchange of any series of debt securities, to replace any temporary, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen series of debt securities or to maintain an office or agency in respect of any series of debt securities.

Modification of the Indenture

        The indenture provides that we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of debt securities to:

        The indenture also provides that we and the trustee may, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of all series of Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Securities, as the case may be, then outstanding and affected thereby (voting as one class), add any provisions to, or change in any manner, eliminate or modify in any way the provisions of, the indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the debt securities. We and the trustee may not, however, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

Concerning the Trustee

        The indenture provides that there may be more than one trustee under the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. If there are different trustees for different series of debt securities, each trustee will be a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from

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the trust administered by any other trustee under the indenture. Except as otherwise indicated in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, any action permitted to be taken by a trustee may be taken by such trustee only with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is the trustee under the indenture. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities. All payments of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, and all registration, transfer, exchange, authentication and delivery (including authentication and delivery on original issuance of the debt securities) of, the debt securities of a series will be effected by the trustee with respect to that series at an office designated by the trustee in New York, New York.

        The indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of the company, to obtain payment of claims in some cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee may engage in other transactions. If it acquires any conflicting interest relating to any duties with respect to the debt securities, however, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities, provided that the direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, would not be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another holder of the debt securities, and would not involve any trustee in personal liability. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be known to any trustee and not be cured, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would use in the conduct of his or her own affairs in the exercise of the trustee's power. Subject to these provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of the debt securities, unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to the trustee.

No Individual Liability of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers or Directors

        The indenture provides that no incorporator and no past, present or future stockholder, officer or director of the company or any successor corporation in their capacity as such shall have any individual liability for any of our obligations, covenants or agreements under the debt securities or the indenture.

Governing Law

        The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, including, without limitation, Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law and New York Civil Practice Law and Rules 327(b).

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

        We may issue subscription rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or other securities. We may issue subscription rights independently or together with any other offered security, which may or may not be transferable by the stockholder. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights. These terms may include the following:

        The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may offer warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities. We will describe the particular terms of the warrants we offer in a prospectus supplement. The following description outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the warrant agreement and the related warrant certificates. The warrant agreement and the related warrant certificates will be filed with the SEC each time we issue warrants, and you should read those documents as they, and not this description, define your rights as a holder of warrants. If any particular terms of the warrant agreement and the related warrant certificates described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

Stock Warrants

        General.     Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of stock warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the stock warrant agreement relating to such stock warrants and the stock warrant certificates representing such stock warrants, including the following:

        Prior to the exercise of their stock warrants, holders of stock warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of shares of capital stock purchasable upon such exercise, and will not be entitled to any dividend payments on such capital stock purchasable upon such exercise.

        Exercise of Stock Warrants.     Each stock warrant will entitle the holder to purchase such number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, as the case may be, at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, stock warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised stock warrants will become void.

26


        Stock warrants may be exercised in the manner set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the stock warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the stock warrant certificates properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward a certificate representing the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the stock warrants represented by such stock warrant certificate are exercised, a new stock warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of stock warrants. The stock warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new stock warrant certificates of different denominations and stock warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt Warrants

        General.     Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of debt warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, the debt securities warrant agreement relating to such debt warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing such debt warrants, including the following:

        Prior to the exercise of their debt warrants, holders of debt warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to any payments of principal, premium or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise.

        Exercise of Debt Warrants.     Each debt warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants offered thereby. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt warrants may be exercised at any time up to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised debt warrants will become void.

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        Debt warrants may be exercised in the manner set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt warrants. Upon receipt of payment and the debt warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the debt warrants represented by such debt warrant certificate are exercised, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of debt warrants. The debt warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations and debt warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

        We may issue stock purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities issued by us or by third parties as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each stock purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase on specified dates, such securities at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any stock purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such stock purchase contract or the cash value of the securities otherwise deliverable, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities, and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions or other provisions relating to the settlement of a stock purchase contract. The price per security and the number of securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are entered into or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the applicable stock purchase contracts.

        The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, or any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders' obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as "stock purchase units." The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.

        The prospectus supplement relating to any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units we may offer will contain the specific terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. These terms may include the following:

        The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any stock purchase contract or stock purchase unit we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable stock purchase contract or stock purchase unit, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

        We may sell the securities covered by this prospectus in one or more of the following ways from time to time, including without limitation:

        A prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

        If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

        In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

        We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to

30



settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

        We may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus.

        Offers to purchase the securities offered by this prospectus may be solicited, and sales of the securities may be made, by us of those securities directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of the securities. The terms of any offer made in this manner will be included in the prospectus supplement relating to the offer.

        The securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in a prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. A prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

        If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplemental will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitations of these delayed delivery contracts.

        If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase any securities will be conditioned on customary closing conditions and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such series of securities, if any are purchased.

Indemnification

        Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services in the ordinary course of business for us and/or our affiliates.

Market-Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

        There is currently no market for any of the offered securities, other than the common stock which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intends to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter

31



would not be obligated to do so, and any such market-making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred stock or warrants on any securities exchange; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred stock or warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

        In connection with any offering of common stock, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. "Covered" short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters' over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make "naked" short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

        In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

Fees and Commissions

        In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be; however, it is anticipated that the maximum commission or discount to be received in any particular offering of securities will be significantly less than this amount.

        If more than 10% of the net proceeds of any offering of securities made under this prospectus will be received by FINRA members participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA members, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(h).

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Los Angeles, California will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of DineEquity, Inc. appearing in Dine Equity Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and DineEquity Inc. management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management's assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The consolidated financial statements of Applebee's International, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2006 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report (which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding a change in accounting for stock-based compensation upon adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123 (R), Share-Based Payment ). Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

33



PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

        The following table sets forth the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates.

SEC registration fee

  $ 11,160  

Printing fees and expenses

     

Accounting fees and expenses

    100,000  

Legal fees and expenses

    200,000  

Transfer agent and registrar fees

    10,000  

Rating agency fees

     

Trustee fees and expenses

     

Miscellaneous

    28,840  
       

Total

  $ 350,000  
       

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") permits the board of directors of a corporation to indemnify any person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amount paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding in which such person is made a party by reason of his or her being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of the registrant, as the case may be, in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The statute provides that indemnification pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

        The registrant's restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director will be personally liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation or law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        Additionally, Article VIII of the registrant's amended bylaws provides that the registrant will indemnify directors and officers under certain circumstances for liabilities and expenses incurred by reason of their activities in such capacities. In addition, the registrant has insurance policies that provide liability coverage to directors and officers while acting in such capacities.

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Item 16.    Exhibits.

 
   
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, subscription rights, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.*
3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
3.1   Amended Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.1   Form of Indenture.
4.2   Form of Senior Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3   Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.5   Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.6   Certificate of Designations of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.7   Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.8   Form of Certificate of Designations of Preferred Stock.*
4.9   Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt).*
4.10   Form of Subscription Rights Agreement (including form of Subscription Rights Certificate).*
4.11   Form of Warrant Agreement (Stock) (including form of Stock Warrant).*
4.12   Form of Warrant Agreement (Debt) (including form of Debt Warrant).*
4.13   Form of Stock Purchase Contract Agreement.*
4.14   Form of Stock Purchase Contract.*
4.15   Form of Stock Purchase Unit Agreement.*
4.16   Form of Stock Purchase Unit.*
5.1   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.3   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Indenture.**

*
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

**
To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at the time of an offering of debt securities.

Item 17.    Undertakings.

        (a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

            (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

               (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in

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      volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and

              (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

    Provided, however , that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

            (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

            (3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

            (4)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

                (i)  Each prospectus filed by the undersigned registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

               (ii)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

            (5)   The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such

II-3


    purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

                (i)  Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

               (ii)  Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

              (iii)  The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

              (iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

            (b)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

            (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

            (d)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (the "Trust Indenture Act") in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, DineEquity, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Glendale, State of California, on July 28, 2009.

    DINEEQUITY, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ JULIA A. STEWART

Julia A. Stewart
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Julia A. Stewart and John F. Tierney, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and in each case to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
 
Date
/s/ JULIA A. STEWART

Julia A. Stewart
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  July 28, 2009
/s/ JOHN F. TIERNEY

John F. Tierney
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
  July 28, 2009
/s/ GREGGORY KALVIN

Greggory Kalvin
  Vice President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
  July 28, 2009
/s/ LARRY ALAN KAY

Larry Alan Kay
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ HOWARD M. BERK

Howard M. Berk
  Director   July 28, 2009
  

Daniel J. Brestle
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ H. FREDERICK CHRISTIE

H. Frederick Christie
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ RICHARD J. DAHL

Richard J. Dahl
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ FRANK EDELSTEIN

Frank Edelstein
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ MICHAEL S. GORDON

Michael S. Gordon
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ CAROLINE W. NAHAS

Caroline W. Nahas
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ GILBERT T. RAY

Gilbert T. Ray
  Director   July 28, 2009
/s/ PATRICK W. ROSE

Patrick W. Rose
  Director   July 28, 2009

II-5



Exhibit Index

 
   
1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.*
3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
3.1   Amended Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.1   Form of Indenture.
4.2   Form of Senior Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3   Form of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.4   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.5   Form of Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.6   Certificate of Designations of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.7   Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2008).
4.8   Form of Certificate of Designations of Preferred Stock.*
4.9   Form of Deposit Agreement (including form of Depositary Receipt).*
4.10   Form of Subscription Rights Agreement (including form of Subscription Rights Certificate).*
4.11   Form of Warrant Agreement (Stock) (including form of Stock Warrant).*
4.12   Form of Warrant Agreement (Debt) (including form of Debt Warrant).*
4.13   Form of Stock Purchase Contract Agreement.*
4.14   Form of Stock Purchase Contract.*
4.15   Form of Stock Purchase Unit Agreement.*
4.16   Form of Stock Purchase Unit.*
5.1   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.3   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1   Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Trustee under the Indenture.**

*
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

**
To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at the time of an offering of debt securities.

II-6




QuickLinks

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
RISK FACTORS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
THE COMPANY
USE OF PROCEEDS
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
LEGAL MATTERS
EXPERTS
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
SIGNATURES
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Exhibit Index

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

DINEEQUITY, INC.

 

 

and

 

 

[                                        ], as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

 

Dated as of [                    ]

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 



 

CROSS REFERENCE SHEET*

 

Between

 

Provisions of Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) and Indenture, dated as of [                ], between DINEEQUITY, INC. and [                      ], as Trustee:

 

SECTION OF THE ACT

 

SECTION OF INDENTURE

 

310(a)(1) and (2)

 

6.9

 

310(a)(3) and (4)

 

Inapplicable

 

310(b)

 

6.8 and 6.10(a), (b) and (d)

 

310(c)

 

Inapplicable

 

311(a)

 

6.14

 

311(b)

 

6.14

 

311(c)

 

Inapplicable

 

312(a)

 

4.1 and 4.2

 

312(b)

 

4.2

 

312(c)

 

4.2

 

313(a)

 

4.3

 

313(b)(1)

 

Inapplicable

 

313(b)(2)

 

4.3

 

313(c)

 

4.3, 5.11, 6.10, 6.11, 8.2 and 12.2

 

313(d)

 

4.3

 

314(a)

 

3.5 and 4.2

 

314(b)

 

Inapplicable

 

314(c)(1) and (2)

 

11.5

 

314(c)(3)

 

Inapplicable

 

314(d)

 

Inapplicable

 

314(e)

 

11.5

 

314(f)

 

Inapplicable

 

315(a), (c) and (d)

 

6.1

 

315(b)

 

5.11

 

315(e)

 

5.12

 

316(a)(1)

 

5.9 and 5.10

 

316(a)(2)

 

Not required

 

316(a) (last sentence)

 

7.4

 

316(b)

 

5.7

 

317(a)

 

5.2

 

317(b)

 

3.4(a) and (b)

 

318(a)

 

11.7

 

 


*This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture.

 

2



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.1 CERTAIN TERMS DEFINED

 

1

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 2.1 FORMS GENERALLY

 

7

 

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

7

 

SECTION 2.3 AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES

 

8

 

SECTION 2.4 AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES

 

10

 

SECTION 2.5 EXECUTION OF SECURITIES

 

13

 

SECTION 2.6 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

13

 

SECTION 2.7 DENOMINATION AND DATE OF SECURITIES; PAYMENT OF INTEREST

 

13

 

SECTION 2.8 REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

 

14

 

SECTION 2.9 MUTILATED, DEFACED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES

 

18

 

SECTION 2.10 CANCELLATION OF SECURITIES; DISPOSAL THEREOF

 

19

 

SECTION 2.11 TEMPORARY SECURITIES

 

19

 

SECTION 2.12 CUSIP NUMBERS

 

19

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 3.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST

 

20

 

SECTION 3.2 OFFICES FOR PAYMENTS, ETC

 

20

 

SECTION 3.3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE

 

21

 

SECTION 3.4 PAYING AGENTS

 

21

 

SECTION 3.5 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES

 

23

 

SECTION 3.6 CORPORATE EXISTENCE

 

23

 

SECTION 3.7 LUXEMBOURG PUBLICATIONS

 

23

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 4.1 ISSUER TO FURNISH TRUSTEE INFORMATION AS TO NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS

 

23

 

SECTION 4.2 REPORTS BY THE ISSUER

 

24

 

SECTION 4.3 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE

 

24

 

i



 

ARTICLE V REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.1 EVENT OF DEFAULT DEFINED, ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; WAIVER OF DEFAULT

 

24

 

SECTION 5.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS BY TRUSTEE; TRUSTEE MAY PROVE DEBT

 

28

 

SECTION 5.3 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

 

30

 

SECTION 5.4 SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT

 

31

 

SECTION 5.5 RESTORATION OF RIGHTS ON ABANDONMENT OF PROCEEDINGS

 

31

 

SECTION 5.6 LIMITATIONS ON SUITS BY SECURITYHOLDERS

 

31

 

SECTION 5.7 UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF SECURITYHOLDERS TO INSTITUTE CERTAIN SUITS

 

32

 

SECTION 5.8 POWERS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER OF DEFAULT

 

32

 

SECTION 5.9 CONTROL BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

33

 

SECTION 5.10 WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS

 

33

 

SECTION 5.11 TRUSTEE TO GIVE NOTICE OF DEFAULT, BUT MAY WITHHOLD IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES

 

33

 

SECTION 5.12 RIGHT OF COURT TO REQUIRE FILING OF UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS

 

34

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 6.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE; DURING DEFAULT; PRIOR TO DEFAULT

 

34

 

SECTION 6.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE

 

35

 

SECTION 6.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS, DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES OR APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS THEREOF

 

37

 

SECTION 6.4 TRUSTEE AND AGENTS MAY HOLD SECURITIES OR COUPONS; COLLECTIONS, ETC.

 

37

 

SECTION 6.5 MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE

 

37

 

SECTION 6.6 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE AND ITS PRIOR CLAIM

 

37

 

SECTION 6.7 RIGHT OF TRUSTEE TO RELY ON OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE, ETC.

 

38

 

SECTION 6.8 INDENTURES NOT CREATING POTENTIAL CONFLICTING INTERESTS FOR THE TRUSTEE

 

38

 

SECTION 6.9 QUALIFICATION OF TRUSTEE: CONFLICTING INTERESTS

 

38

 

SECTION 6.10 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS TRUSTEE

 

38

 

SECTION 6.11 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE

 

39

 

SECTION 6.12 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE

 

41

 

ii



 

 

SECTION 6.13 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS OF TRUSTEE

 

42

 

SECTION 6.14 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE ISSUER

 

42

 

SECTION 6.15 APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT

 

42

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 7.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION TAKEN BY SECURITYHOLDERS

 

43

 

SECTION 7.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND OF HOLDING OF SECURITIES

 

43

 

SECTION 7.3 HOLDERS TO BE TREATED AS OWNERS

 

44

 

SECTION 7.4 SECURITIES OWNED BY ISSUER DEEMED NOT OUTSTANDING

 

44

 

SECTION 7.5 RIGHT OF REVOCATION OF ACTION TAKEN

 

45

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 8.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS

 

45

 

SECTION 8.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS

 

46

 

SECTION 8.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

48

 

SECTION 8.4 DOCUMENTS TO BE GIVEN TO TRUSTEE

 

48

 

SECTION 8.5 NOTATION ON SECURITIES IN RESPECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

48

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 9.1 ISSUER MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS

 

49

 

SECTION 9.2 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED

 

50

 

SECTION 9.3 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN TO TRUSTEE

 

50

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 10.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

50

 

SECTION 10.2 APPLICATION BY TRUSTEE OF FUNDS DEPOSITED FOR PAYMENT OF SECURITIES

 

53

 

SECTION 10.3 REPAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT

 

54

 

SECTION 10.4 RETURN OF MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT UNCLAIMED FOR TWO YEARS

 

54

 

SECTION 10.5 INDEMNITY FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT OF OBLIGATIONS

 

54

 

SECTION 10.6 EFFECT ON SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS

 

54

 

iii



 

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 11.1 INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF ISSUER EXEMPT FROM INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY

 

55

 

SECTION 11.2 PROVISIONS OF INDENTURE FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF PARTIES AND HOLDERS OF SECURITIES AND COUPONS

 

55

 

SECTION 11.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF ISSUER BOUND BY INDENTURE

 

55

 

SECTION 11.4 NOTICES AND DEMANDS ON ISSUER, TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS OF SECURITIES AND COUPONS

 

55

 

SECTION 11.5 OFFICER’S CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS OF COUNSEL; STATEMENTS TO BE CONTAINED THEREIN

 

56

 

SECTION 11.6 PAYMENTS DUE ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS

 

57

 

SECTION 11.7 CONFLICT OF ANY PROVISION OF INDENTURE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT

 

58

 

SECTION 11.8 NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

58

 

SECTION 11.9 COUNTERPARTS

 

58

 

SECTION 11.10 EFFECT OF HEADINGS

 

58

 

SECTION 11.11 SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

58

 

SECTION 11.12 JUDGMENT CURRENCY

 

60

 

SECTION 11.13 AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE

 

60

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 12.1 APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE

 

60

 

SECTION 12.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION; PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS

 

60

 

SECTION 12.3 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES CALLED FOR REDEMPTION

 

62

 

SECTION 12.4 EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES FROM ELIGIBILITY FOR SELECTION FOR REDEMPTION

 

63

 

SECTION 12.5 MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUNDS

 

63

 

iv


 

THIS INDENTURE, dated as of [                    ], by and between DINEEQUITY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and [                              ], as trustee (the “Trustee”),

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issue from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration of the Securities; and

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done;

 

NOW, THEREFORE:

 

In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities and of the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.1 CERTAIN TERMS DEFINED.   The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section.  All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or the definitions of which in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in effect from time to time.  All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation unless a different time shall be specified with respect to such series of Securities as provided for in Section 2.3.  The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other 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 have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular.

 

“Affiliate” has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor provision.

 

1



 

“Authenticating Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15.

 

“Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper (which, in the case of The City of New York, will, if practicable, be The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), in the case of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the “United Kingdom”), will, if practicable, be The Financial Times (London Edition) and, in the case of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (“Luxembourg”), will, if practicable, be the Luxemburger Wort ) published in an official or common language of the country of publication customarily published at least once a day for at least five days in each calendar week and of general circulation in The City of New York, the United Kingdom or Luxembourg, as applicable.  If it shall be impractical in the opinion of the Trustee to make any publication of any notice required hereby in an Authorized Newspaper, any publication or other notice in lieu thereof which is made or given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient publication of such notice.

 

“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Security, a day that is not a day on which banking institutions in the city (or in any of the cities, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, are authorized or required by any applicable law or regulation to be closed.

 

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase (other than convertible or exchangeable indebtedness that is not itself otherwise capital stock), warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by that corporation.

 

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

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, as of the date of this Indenture, located at [                          ].

 

“Coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to an Unregistered Security.

 

“Covenant Defeasance” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(C).

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include

 

2



 

each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Registered Global Securities of that series.

 

“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock or partnership, participation or membership interests).

 

“Event of Default” means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.1.

 

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

 

“Fair Value” when used with respect to any Voting Equity Interests of the Issuer means the fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

 

“Foreign Currency” means any coin, currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries,  other than the United States of America or by any internationally recognized union, confederation or association of such governments.

 

“Holder,” “Holder of Securities,” “Securityholder” or any other similar terms mean (a) in the case of any Registered Security, the person in whose name such Security is registered in the security register kept by the Issuer for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) in the case of any Unregistered Security, the bearer of such Security, or any Coupon appertaining thereto, as the case may be.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder, provided , that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to one or more series of Securities for which such person is trustee, this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated hereunder, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury, or any successor entity.

 

“Issuer” means (except as otherwise provided in Article IX) DineEquity, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and, subject to Article IX, its successors and assigns.

 

3



 

“Issuer Order” means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer signed in its name by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president, any vice president or the treasurer of the Issuer.

 

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.

 

“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.11.

 

“New York Banking Day” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.

 

“Non-U.S. Person” means any person that is not a “U.S. person” as such term is defined in Rule 902 of the Securities Act.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president or any vice president or the treasurer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.  Each such certificate shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and include the statements provided for in Section 11.5.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of the Issuer or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee.  Each such opinion shall comply with Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act and include the statements provided for in Section 11.5.

 

“Original Issue Date” of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

“Outstanding” (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4), when used with reference to Securities, means, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except:

 

(a)                                   Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(b)                                  Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations (as provided for in Section 10.1) in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided, that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provisions satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

 

4



 

(c)                                   Securities which shall have been paid or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer).

 

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities.

 

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

 

“principal” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any,” provided, however, that such inclusion of premium, if any, shall under no circumstances result in the double counting of such premium for the purpose of any calculation required hereunder.

 

“record date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

 

“Registered Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Registered Securities, issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.4, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.4 and any other legend required by the Depositary for such series.

 

“Registered Security” means any Security registered on the Security register of the Issuer.

 

“Required Currency” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.12.

 

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee means any vice president (whether or not designated by numbers or words added before or after the title “Vice President”), any assistant trust officer, any assistant vice president, any assistant treasurer, or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

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“Security” or “Securities” (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.4) has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

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

 

“Senior Indebtedness”, when used with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any series, shall have the meaning established pursuant to Subsection 2.3(9) with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such series.

 

“Senior Securities” means Securities other than Subordinated Securities.

 

“Subordinated Securities” means Securities that by the terms established pursuant to Subsection 2.3(9) are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer.

 

“Subordination Provisions”, when used with respect to the Subordinated  Securities of any series, shall have the meaning established pursuant to Subsection 2.3(9)  with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such series.

 

“Subsidiary,” with respect to any Person, means (i) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Equity Interests is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof has at least majority ownership interest, or (iii) a partnership in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the time, a general partner.

 

“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article VI, shall also include any successor trustee.  “Trustee” shall also mean or include each Person who is then a trustee hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

“Unregistered Security” means any Security other than a Registered Security.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(A).

 

“Voting Equity Interests” means Equity Interests which at the time are entitled to vote in the election of, as applicable, directors, members or partners generally; provided , that, for the purposes hereof, Equity Interests that carry only the right to vote conditionally on the happening of an event shall not be considered Voting Equity Interests whether or not such event shall have happened.

 

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity on a series of securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent

 

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redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

 

ARTICLE II

 

SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.1 FORMS GENERALLY.   The Securities of each series and the Coupons, if any, to be attached thereto shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (as set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to but not set forth in a Board Resolution, an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment) or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities and Coupons, if any, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities and Coupons.

 

The definitive Securities and Coupons, if any, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities and Coupons, if any, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities and Coupons, if any.

 

SECTION 2.2 FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.   The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

 

“This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

[                            ], as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication to be borne by the Securities of each such series shall be substantially as follows:

 

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“This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

as Authenticating Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory”

 

 

SECTION 2.3 AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES.   The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (and to the extent established pursuant to but not set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officer’s Certificate detailing such establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series,

 

(1)                                   the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series, and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued;

 

(2)                                   any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 8.5 or 12.3);

 

(3)                                   if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency or Foreign Currencies in which the Securities of the series are denominated;

 

(4)                                   the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

 

(5)                                   the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, on which such interest shall be payable, the terms and conditions of any deferral of interest and the additional interest, if any, thereon, the right, if any, of the Issuer to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of the extensions and (in the case of Registered Securities) the date or dates on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined;

 

(6)                                   the place or places where and the manner in which, the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, if other than as provided in Section 3.2;

 

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(7)                                   the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem Securities, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, or the date or dates on which, the price or prices at which and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be so redeemed, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;

 

(8)                                   the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which or the date or dates on which, and any terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(9)                                   if the Securities of such series are Subordinated Securities, the terms pursuant to which the Securities of such series will be made subordinate in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness and the definition of such Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series (in the absence of an express statement to the effect that the Securities of such series are subordinate in right of payment to all such Senior Indebtedness, the Securities of such series shall not be subordinate to Senior Indebtedness and shall not constitute Subordinated Securities); and, in the event that the Securities of such series are Subordinated Securities, such Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, establishing the terms of such series shall expressly state which articles, sections or other provisions thereof constitute the “Subordination Provisions” with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(10)                             if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof in the case of Registered Securities, or $1,000 and $5,000 in the case of Unregistered Securities, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(11)                             the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities will be issued, and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof and the terms and conditions of any acceleration;

 

(12)                             if other than the coin, currency or currencies in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the coin, currency or currencies in which payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable, including composite currencies or currency units;

 

(13)                             if the principal of or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof, in a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities are denominated, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

(14)                             if the amount of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or formula based on a coin, currency, composite currency or currency unit other than that in which the Securities of the series are denominated, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

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(15)                             whether the Securities of the series will be issuable as Registered Securities (and if so, whether such Securities will be issuable as Registered Global Securities) or Unregistered Securities (with or without Coupons), or any combination of the foregoing, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Unregistered Securities or the payment of interest thereon and, if other than as provided in Section 2.8, the terms upon which Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series and vice versa;

 

(16)                             whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

(17)                             if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

 

(18)                             any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars of any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(19)                             any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(20)                             if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Issuer, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Issuer or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof; and

 

(21)                             any other terms of the series.

 

All Securities of any one series and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be substantially identical, except in the case of Registered Securities as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time without consent of any Holder, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution, such Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.

 

SECTION 2.4 AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES.   The Issuer may deliver Securities of any series having attached thereto appropriate Coupons, if any, executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section 2.4, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities and Coupons, if any, to or upon the order of the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order referred to below in this Section) or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order.  The maturity date, original issue date, interest rate and any other terms of the Securities of such series and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be determined by or pursuant to such Issuer

 

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Order and procedures.  If provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent or agents, which instructions, if oral, shall be promptly confirmed in writing.  In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in the case of subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) below only at or before the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series) and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, the following enumerated documents unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked:

 

(1)                                   an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities and Coupons, if any, are not to be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (a) such Issuer Order may be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (b) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order, (c) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures and (d) if provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent or agents, which instructions, if oral, shall be promptly confirmed in writing;

 

(2)                                   any Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate and/or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Section 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, were established;

 

(3)                                   an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, have been established pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 and comply with this Indenture, and covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and

 

(4)                                   At the option of the Issuer, either one or more Opinions of Counsel, or a letter addressed to the Trustee permitting it to rely on one or more Opinions of Counsel, substantially to the effect that:

 

(a)                                   the form or forms of the Securities and Coupons, if any, have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(b)                                  in the case of an underwritten offering, the terms of the Securities have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, and, in the case of an offering that is not underwritten, certain

 

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terms of the Securities have been established pursuant to a Board Resolution, an Officer’s Certificate or a supplemental indenture in accordance with this Indenture, and when such other terms as are to be established pursuant to procedures set forth in an Issuer Order shall have been established, all such terms will have been duly authorized by the Issuer and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(c)                                   such Securities and Coupons, if any, when executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will have been duly issued under this Indenture, will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, and will be valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) rights of acceleration, if any, and (iii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability and such counsel need express no opinion with regard to the enforceability of Section 6.6 or of a judgment denominated in a currency other than Dollars.

 

In rendering such opinions, any counsel may qualify any opinions as to enforceability by stating that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).  Any counsel may state that such opinions are limited to matters arising under the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  Such counsel may rely upon opinions of other counsel (copies of which shall be delivered to the Trustee) reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the opinion shall state that such counsel believes he and the Trustee are entitled so to rely.  Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, he has relied, to the extent he deems proper, upon certificates of officers of the Issuer and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by a trust committee of Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, this Indenture or otherwise.

 

If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.3 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section and the Issuer Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Registered Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series issued and not yet cancelled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of

 

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the Depositary for such Registered Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or delivered or held pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:  “Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the 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.”

 

Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.3 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and any other applicable statute or regulation.

 

SECTION 2.5 EXECUTION OF SECURITIES.   The Securities and each Coupon appertaining thereto, if any, shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by the chairman or vice chairman of its Board of Directors or its president, or any executive (senior or other), a vice president or its treasurer, which may, but need not, be attested.  Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers.  The seal of the Issuer may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.  Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities or Coupons, if any, shall cease to be such officer before the Security or Coupon so signed (or the Security to which the Coupon so signed appertains) shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security or Coupon nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security or Coupon had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security or Coupon may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security or Coupon, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

 

SECTION 2.6 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.   Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.  No Coupon shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or shall be valid and obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Security to which such Coupon appertains shall have been duly executed by the Trustee.  The execution of such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.7 DENOMINATION AND DATE OF SECURITIES; PAYMENT OF INTEREST.   The Securities of each series shall be issuable as Registered Securities or Unregistered Securities in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.3

 

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or, with respect to the Registered Securities of any series, if not so established, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.  If denominations of Unregistered Securities of any series are not so established, such Securities shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and $5,000.  The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

 

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.  Each Unregistered Security shall be dated as provided in the Board Resolution referred to in Section 2.3.  The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.3.

 

The person in whose name any Registered Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Registered Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Registered Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders of Registered Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date.  The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Registered Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.3, or, if no such date is so established, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

 

SECTION 2.8 REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.   The Issuer will keep at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each series of Securities a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Issuer may prescribe, it will provide for the registration of Registered Securities of such series and the registration of transfer of Registered Securities of such series.  Such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time.  At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

 

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Registered Security or Registered Securities of the same series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.

 

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Unregistered Securities (except for any temporary global Unregistered Securities) and Coupons (except for Coupons attached to any temporary global Unregistered Securities) shall be transferable by delivery.

 

At the option of the Holder thereof, Registered Securities of any series (other than a Registered Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Registered Security or Registered Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Registered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2 and upon payment, if the Issuer shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.  If the Securities of any series are issued in both registered and unregistered form, at the option of the Holder thereof, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3, Unregistered Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have Coupons attached, all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Issuer shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.  At the option of the Holder thereof, if Unregistered Securities of any series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date are issued in more than one authorized denomination, except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3, such Unregistered Securities may be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Unregistered Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2 or as specified pursuant to Section 2.3, with, in the case of Unregistered Securities that have Coupons attached, all unmatured Coupons and all matured Coupons in default thereto appertaining, and upon payment, if the Issuer shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided.  Registered Securities of any series may not be exchanged for Unregistered Securities of such series unless (1) otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.3 and (2) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the Issuer has received from the IRS a ruling or (y) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable United States Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that the inclusion of terms permitting Registered Securities to be exchanged for Unregistered Securities would result in no United States Federal income tax effect adverse to the Issuer or to any Holder.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.  All Securities and Coupons, if any, surrendered upon any exchange or transfer provided for in this Indenture shall be promptly cancelled and disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its regular procedures, and the Trustee shall deliver a certificate of disposition thereof to the Issuer.

 

All Registered Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

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The Issuer or the registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities.  No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

 

The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.8, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Registered Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

If at any time the Depositary for any Registered Securities of a series represented by one or more Registered Global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Registered Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Registered Securities shall no longer be eligible under Section 2.4, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary eligible under Section 2.4 with respect to such Registered Securities.  If a successor Depositary eligible under Section 2.4 for such Registered Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer’s election pursuant to Section 2.3 that such Registered Securities be represented by one or more Registered Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Registered Securities in exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.

 

The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Registered Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Registered Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Registered Global Security or Securities.  In such event the Issuer will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of any Officer’s Certificate for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Registered Global Security or Securities representing such Registered Securities, in exchange for such Registered Global Security or Securities.

 

If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to Securities represented by a Registered Global Security, the Depositary for such Registered Global Security may surrender such Registered Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of

 

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the same series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary.  Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

 

(i)                                                              to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Registered Global Security; and

 

(ii)                                   to such Depositary a new Registered Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Registered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Registered Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.

 

Upon the exchange of a Registered Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, such Registered Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee.  Securities in definitive registered form without coupons issued in exchange for a Registered Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Registered Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee.  The Trustee or such agent shall deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein or in the terms of any series of Securities to the contrary, none of the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee (any of which, other than the Issuer, shall rely on an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel) shall be required to exchange any Unregistered Security for a Registered Security if such exchange would result in United States Federal income tax consequences adverse to the Issuer (such as, for example, the inability of the Issuer to deduct from its income, as computed for United States Federal income tax purposes, the interest payable on the Unregistered Securities) under then applicable United States Federal income tax laws.

 

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 Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Registered Global Security) 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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SECTION 2.9 MUTILATED, DEFACED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN SECURITIES.   In case any temporary or definitive Security or any Coupon appertaining to any Security shall be mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute and, upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, maturity date, interest rate and original issue date, bearing a number or other distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen with Coupons corresponding to the Coupons appertaining to the Securities so mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen, or in exchange or substitution for the Security to which such mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Coupon appertained, with Coupons appertaining thereto corresponding to the Coupons so mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen.  In every case, the applicant for a substitute Security or Coupon shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security or Coupon and of the ownership thereof, and in the case of mutilation or defacement shall surrender the Security and related Coupons to the Trustee or such agent.

 

Upon the issuance of any substitute Security or Coupon, the Issuer or the registrar may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) or its agent connected therewith.  In case any Security or Coupon which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same or the relevant Coupon (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security or Coupon), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security or Coupons and of the ownership thereof.

 

Every substitute Security or Coupon of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security or Coupon is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security or Coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities or Coupons of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.  All Securities and Coupons shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and Coupons 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 or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

 

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SECTION 2.10 CANCELLATION OF SECURITIES; DISPOSAL THEREOF.   All Securities and Coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if any, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it; and no Securities or Coupons shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture.  The Trustee or its agent shall dispose of cancelled Securities and Coupons held by it in accordance with its regular procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Issuer.  If the Issuer or its agent shall acquire any of the Securities or Coupons, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities or Coupons unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.11 TEMPORARY SECURITIES.   Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee).  Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as Registered Securities without coupons, or as Unregistered Securities with or without coupons attached thereto, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.  Temporary Securities may contain such references to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate.  Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities.  Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Registered Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.2 and, in the case of Unregistered Securities, at any agency maintained by the Issuer for such purpose as specified pursuant to Section 2.3, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series having authorized denominations and, in the case of Unregistered Securities, having attached thereto any appropriate Coupons.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series, unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3.  The provisions of this Section are subject to any restrictions or limitations on the issue and delivery of temporary Unregistered Securities of any series that may be established pursuant to Section 2.3 (including any provision that Unregistered Securities of such series initially be issued in the form of a single global Unregistered Security to be delivered to a depositary or agency located outside the United States and the procedures pursuant to which definitive or global Unregistered Securities of such series would be issued in exchange for such temporary global Unregistered Security).

 

SECTION 2.12 CUSIP NUMBERS .  The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed

 

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on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be place only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.  The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

SECTION 3.1 PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.   The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, if any, each of the Securities of such series (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) at the place or places, at the respective time or times and in the manner provided in such Securities and in the Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto and in this Indenture.  The interest on Securities with Coupons attached (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several Coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature.  If any temporary Unregistered Security provides that interest thereon may be paid while such Security is in temporary form, the interest on any such temporary Unregistered Security (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Security) shall be paid, as to the installments of interest evidenced by Coupons attached thereto, if any, only upon presentation and surrender thereof, and, as to the other installments of interest, if any, only upon presentation of such Securities for notation thereon of the payment of such interest, in each case subject to any restrictions that may be established pursuant to Section 2.3.  The interest, if any, on Registered Securities (together with any additional amounts payable pursuant to the terms of such Securities) shall be payable only to or upon the written order of the Holders thereof and, at the option of the Issuer, may be paid by wire transfer or by mailing checks for such interest payable to or upon the written order of such Holders at their last addresses as they appear on the Securities register of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 3.2 OFFICES FOR PAYMENTS, ETC.   So long as any Registered Securities are authorized for issuance pursuant to this Indenture or are outstanding hereunder, the Issuer will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where the Registered Securities of each series may be presented for payment, where the Securities of each series may be presented for exchange as is provided in this Indenture and, if applicable, pursuant to Section 2.3 and where the Registered Securities of each series may be presented for registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided.

 

The Issuer will maintain one or more offices or agencies in a city or cities located outside the United States (including any city in which such an agency is required to be maintained under the rules of any stock exchange on which the Securities of such series are listed) where the Unregistered Securities, if any, of each series and Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto may be presented for payment.  No payment on any Unregistered Security or Coupon will be made upon presentation of such Unregistered Security or Coupon at an agency of the

 

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Issuer within the United States, nor will any payment be made by transfer to an account in, or by mail to an address in, the United States, unless pursuant to applicable United States laws and regulations then in effect such payment can be made without tax consequences adverse to the Issuer.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, payments in Dollars of Unregistered Securities of any series and Coupons appertaining thereto which are payable in Dollars may be made at an agency of the Issuer maintained in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York if such payment in Dollars at each agency maintained by the Issuer outside the United States for payment on such Unregistered Securities is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

 

The Issuer will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities of any series, the Coupons appertaining thereto or this Indenture may be served.

 

The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of each such office or agency and of any change of location thereof.  In case the Issuer shall fail to maintain any agency required by this Section to be located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or shall fail to give such notice of the location or for any change in the location of any of the above agencies, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the designated office of the Trustee.

 

The Issuer may from time to time designate one or more additional offices or agencies where the Securities of a series and any Coupons appertaining thereto may be presented for payment, where the Securities of that series may be presented for exchange as provided in this Indenture and pursuant to Section 2.3 and where the Registered Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer as in this Indenture provided, and the Issuer may from time to time rescind any such designation, as the Issuer may deem desirable or expedient; provided, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligations to maintain the agencies provided for in this Section.  The Issuer shall give to the Trustee prompt written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

 

SECTION 3.3 APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY IN OFFICE OF TRUSTEE.   The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.4 PAYING AGENTS.   Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it 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,

 

(a)           that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, or Coupons appertaining thereto, if any, or of the Trustee;

 

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(b)           that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and

 

(c)           that it will pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in the foregoing clause (b).

 

The Issuer will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

 

If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series or the Coupons appertaining thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due.  The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

 

Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to Section 10.1, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

 

Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Sections 10.3 and 10.4.

 

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SECTION 3.5 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES.   The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee within 90 days following the end of each fiscal year a brief certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.5) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Issuer stating that in the course of the performance by the signer of his or her duties as an officer of the Issuer he or she would normally have knowledge of any default or non-compliance by the Issuer in the performance of any covenants or conditions contained in this Indenture, stating whether or not he or she has knowledge of any such default or non-compliance and, if so, describing each such default or non-compliance of which the signer has knowledge and the nature thereof.

 

SECTION 3.6 CORPORATE EXISTENCE.   Subject to Article IX, the Issuer will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; provided , that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, if, in the judgment of the Issuer, the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Securityholders.

 

SECTION 3.7 LUXEMBOURG PUBLICATIONS.   In the event of the publication of any notice pursuant to Section 5.11, 6.11, 6.12, 8.2, 10.4, 11.4 or 12.2, the party making such publication in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and London shall also, to the extent that notice is required to be given to Holders of Securities of any series by applicable Luxembourg law or stock exchange regulation, as evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to such party, make a similar publication in Luxembourg.

 

ARTICLE IV

SECURITYHOLDER LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 4.1 ISSUER TO FURNISH TRUSTEE INFORMATION AS TO NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF SECURITYHOLDERS.   If and so long as the Trustee shall not be the Security registrar for the Securities of any series, the Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Registered Securities of such series pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act:

 

(a)           semi-annually not more than 5 days after each record date for the payment of interest on such Registered Securities, as hereinabove specified, as of such record date and on dates to be determined pursuant to Section 2.3 for non-interest bearing Registered Securities in each year; and

 

(b)           at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within thirty days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished.

 

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SECTION 4.2 REPORTS BY THE ISSUER.   The Issuer covenants to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports that the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.3 REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE.

 

(a)           The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.  If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within sixty days after each May 15 following the date of the initial issuance of Securities under this Indenture deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

 

(b)           A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which the Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Issuer.  The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 5.1 EVENT OF DEFAULT DEFINED, ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; WAIVER OF DEFAULT .  “Event of Default” with respect to Securities of any series, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events which 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):

 

(a)           default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; provided that a valid extension of an interest payment period by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of such Securities shall not constitute a failure to pay interest; or

 

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(b)           default in the payment of all or any part of the principal on any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or

 

(c)           default in the payment of any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the Securities of such series; or

 

(d)           failure on the part of the Issuer duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer in the Securities of such series or contained in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and demanding that the Issuer remedy the same, shall have been given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the Issuer by the Trustee, or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series to which such covenant or agreement relates; or

 

(e)           a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

(f)            the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its or their property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(g)           any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture, Officer’s Certificate or Board Resolution under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

 

If an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b) or (c) occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

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Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Senior Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, if an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) above with respect to all series of the Senior Securities then Outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Senior Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Senior Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Senior Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Senior Securities then Outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Senior Securities then Outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Subordinated Securities pursuant to Section 2.3, if an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) above with respect to all series of Subordinated Securities then Outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Subordinated Securities shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Subordinated Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Subordinated Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Subordinated Securities then Outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all of the Subordinated Securities then Outstanding, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, shall become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Senior Securities then Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Senior Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

If an Event of Default described in clause (d) or (g) occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Subordinated Securities then

 

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Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Subordinated Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, and the interest accrued thereon, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

The foregoing provisions are subject to the condition that if, at any time after the principal (or, if the Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of the Securities of any series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided,

 

(A) the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay

 

(i)            all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of such series (or all the Securities, as the case may be); and

 

(ii)           the principal of any and all Securities of such series (or of all the Securities, as the case may be) which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration; and

 

(iii)          interest upon such principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series (or at the respective rates of interest or Yields to Maturity of all the Securities, as the case may be) to the date of such payment or deposit; and

 

(iv)          all amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6; and

 

(B) all Events of Default under the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein,

 

then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of such series voting as a separate class (or of all the Securities, as the case may be, voting as a single class), then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may waive all defaults with respect to such series (or with respect to all the Securities, as the case may be) and rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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For all purposes under this Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

 

SECTION 5.2 COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS BY TRUSTEE; TRUSTEE MAY PROVE DEBT .  The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series, and such Coupons, for principal and interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and such other amount due the Trustee under Section 6.6 in respect of Securities of such series.

 

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered Holders, whether or not the Securities of such series be overdue.

 

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, wherever situated, all the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

 

In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar 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 Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein

 

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expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

 

(a)           to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 6.6) and of the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor; and

 

(b)           unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a receiver, assignee, trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, custodian or other person performing similar functions in respect of any such proceedings; and

 

(c)           to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Securityholders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official performing similar functions in respect of any such proceedings is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee its costs and expenses of collection and all other amounts due to it pursuant to Section 6.6.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding, except as aforesaid in clause (b).

 

All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities of any series or Coupons appertaining to such Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities of such series or Coupons appertaining to such Securities or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be awarded to the Trustee for ratable distribution to the Holders of the Securities or Coupons appertaining to such Securities in respect of which such action was taken, after payment of all sums due to the Trustee under Section 6.6 in respect of such Securities.

 

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also 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 Securities or Coupons appertaining to

 

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such Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of such Securities or Coupons appertaining to such Securities parties to any such proceedings.

 

SECTION 5.3 APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS .  Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article in respect of any series shall be applied in the following order at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities and Coupons appertaining to such Securities in respect of which monies have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses applicable to such series of Securities in respect of which monies have been collected, including all amounts due to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 in respect to such series of Securities;

 

SECOND: If the Securities of such series are Subordinated Securities, to the payment of amounts then due and unpaid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series, to the extent required pursuant to the Subordination Provisions established with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.3(9).

 

THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments on such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and is permitted by applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

FOURTH: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee and is permitted by applicable law) upon the overdue installations of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or Yield to Maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or Yield to Maturity, or of interest or Yield to Maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of

 

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interest or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or Yield to Maturity; and

 

FIFTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

SECTION 5.4 SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT .  In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, 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 the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or 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 5.5 RESTORATION OF RIGHTS ON ABANDONMENT OF PROCEEDINGS .  In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

 

SECTION 5.6 LIMITATIONS ON SUITS BY SECURITYHOLDERS .  No Holder of any Security of any series or of any Coupon appertaining thereto shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder or thereunder, unless (a) such Holder previously shall have given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such affected series then Outstanding (treated as a single class) shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and (c) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action or proceeding, and (d) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.9; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security or Coupon with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of any series or Coupons appertaining to such Securities shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such taker or Holder of Securities or Coupons appertaining to such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such taker or Holder or to enforce any right under this Indenture or any Security, except in the manner herein provided and

 

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for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of the applicable series and Coupons appertaining to such Securities.  For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

 

SECTION 5.7 UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF SECURITYHOLDERS TO INSTITUTE CERTAIN SUITS .  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of any Security or Coupon to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security or Coupon on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or Coupon or the applicable redemption dates provided for in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 5.8 POWERS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE; DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER OF DEFAULT .  Except as provided in Section 5.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or Coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of Securities or Coupons to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every power and remedy given by this Indenture, any Security or law to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or Coupons may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or, subject to Section 5.6, by the Holders of Securities or Coupons.

 

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SECTION 5.9 CONTROL BY HOLDERS OF SECURITIES .  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (with each such series voting as a separate class) 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 Securities of such series by this Indenture; provided, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture; and provided, further, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if (a) the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee by its trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee shall determine in good faith that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability; or (c) if the Trustee in good faith shall so determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all affected series not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.

 

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Securityholders.

 

SECTION 5.10 WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS .  Prior to the declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 5.1, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding (voting as a single class) may on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities waive any past default or Event of Default described in Section 5.1 and its consequences, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected.  In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all such Securities shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively, and such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 5.11 TRUSTEE TO GIVE NOTICE OF DEFAULT, BUT MAY WITHHOLD IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES .  The Trustee shall, within ninety days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the Securities of any series, give notice of all defaults with respect to that series known to the Trustee (i) if any Unregistered Securities of that series are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg) and (ii) to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, unless in each case such defaults shall have been cured before the mailing or publication of such notice (the term “default” for the purpose of this Section being hereby defined to mean any event or condition which is, or with notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default); provided,

 

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that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities of such series, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment on such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of such series.

 

SECTION 5.12 RIGHT OF COURT TO REQUIRE FILING OF UNDERTAKING TO PAY COSTS .  All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security or Coupon by his 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, suffered 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, 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; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder or group of Securityholders of any series holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series, or, in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (g) of Section 5.1 (if the suit relates to Securities of more than one but less than all series), 10% in aggregate principal amount of Securities then Outstanding and affected thereby, or in the case of any suit relating to or arising under clause (d) or (g) (if the suit under clause (d) or (g) relates to all the Securities then Outstanding), or (e) or (f) of Section 5.1, 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the due date expressed in such Security or any date fixed for redemption.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 6.1 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE; DURING DEFAULT; PRIOR TO DEFAULT .  Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities.  In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred and has not been cured or waived, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series of Securities such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities, 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 his or her own affairs.

 

No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that

 

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(a)           prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:

 

(i)            the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series 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 bad faith 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 statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;

 

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

 

(c)           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 direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.9 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.

 

None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

The provisions of this Section 6.1 are in furtherance of and subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 6.2 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE .  In furtherance of and subject to the Trust Indenture Act, and subject to Section 6.1:

 

(a)           the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

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(b)           any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate or Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein or in the terms established in respect of any series); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;

 

(c)           the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and any written advice or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

 

(d)           the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby;

 

(e)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

 

(f)            prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, 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, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless (i) requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding (treated as one class) or (ii) otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.3; provided, that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable security or indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand;

 

(g)           the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

(h)           the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact an Event of Default is received by the Trustee

 

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at the Corporate Trust Office and such notice references the Securities, the Issuer or this Indenture;

 

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

 

(j)            the Trustee may request that the Issuer 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, which certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

SECTION 6.3 TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS, DISPOSITION OF SECURITIES OR APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS THEREOF .  The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same.  The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or Coupons.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof.

 

SECTION 6.4 TRUSTEE AND AGENTS MAY HOLD SECURITIES OR COUPONS; COLLECTIONS, ETC.   The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities or Coupons with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

 

SECTION 6.5 MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE .  Subject to the provisions of Section 10.4 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law.  Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder.

 

SECTION 6.6 COMPENSATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE AND ITS PRIOR CLAIM .  The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as the Issuer and the Trustee shall agree in writing (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.  The Issuer also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any

 

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predecessor Trustee and their agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense is due to its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.  When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.  The obligations of the Issuer under this Section to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.  Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities or Coupons, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim.

 

SECTION 6.7 RIGHT OF TRUSTEE TO RELY ON OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE, ETC.   Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

SECTION 6.8 INDENTURES NOT CREATING POTENTIAL CONFLICTING INTERESTS FOR THE TRUSTEE .  The following indenture is hereby specifically described for the purposes of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act:  this Indenture with respect to series of Securities that are of an equal priority.

 

SECTION 6.9 QUALIFICATION OF TRUSTEE: CONFLICTING INTERESTS .  The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 6.10 PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS TRUSTEE .  The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal, state or District of Columbia authority.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then

 

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for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.11.

 

The provisions of this Section 6.10 are in furtherance of and subject to Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 6.11 RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE .  (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and (i) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected are then Outstanding, by giving notice of such resignation to the Holders thereof, by publication at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), (ii) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected are then Outstanding, by mailing notice of such resignation to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and (iii) by mailing notice of such resignation to the Holders of then Outstanding Registered Securities of each series affected at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books.  Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees.  If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee (at no expense to itself) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.12, on behalf of himself 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.

 

(b)           In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

 

(i)            the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or

 

(ii)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder; or

 

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(iii)          the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator 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 Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, 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 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series.  Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and so prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

(c)           The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 7.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders.

 

(d)           Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.11 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.12.

 

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SECTION 6.12 ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE .  Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.11 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 10.4, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations.  Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer 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 prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

 

If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.

 

No successor trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.12 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.10.

 

Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.12, the Issuer shall give notice thereof (a) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof, by publication of such notice at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), (b) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, by mailing such notice to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and the Trustee shall make such information available to the Issuer for such purpose) and (c) to the Holders of Registered Securities of each series affected, by mailing such notice to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books.  If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may

 

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be combined with the notice called for by Section 6.11.  If the Issuer fails to give such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be given at the expense of the Issuer.

 

SECTION 6.13 MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS OF TRUSTEE .  Any corporation or banking association into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or banking association resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or banking association succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided, that such corporation or banking association shall be qualified under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.10, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any such successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate of authentication shall have the full force which under this Indenture or the Securities of such series it is provided that the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

SECTION 6.14 PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST THE ISSUER .  The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated.

 

SECTION 6.15 APPOINTMENT OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT .  As long as any Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, by an instrument in writing, appoint with the approval of the Issuer an authenticating agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities, including Securities issued upon exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or pursuant to Section 2.9.  Securities of each such series authenticated by such Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee.  Whenever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series by the Trustee or to the Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent for such series and a Certificate of Authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by such Authenticating Agent.  Such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the

 

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laws of the United States of America or of any State, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $45,000,000 (determined as provided in Section 6.10 with respect to the Trustee) and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority.

 

Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted, or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of any Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be the Authenticating Agent with respect to all series of Securities for which it served as Authenticating Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent.  Any Authenticating Agent may at any time, and if it shall cease to be eligible shall, resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer.

 

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 in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.15 with respect to one or more series of Securities, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Issuer Order appoint a successor Authenticating Agent, and the Issuer shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 11.4.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent.  The Issuer agrees to pay to the Authenticating Agent for such series from time to time reasonable compensation.  The Authenticating Agent for the Securities of any series shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such at the direction of the Trustee.

 

Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 and 7.3 shall be applicable to any Authenticating Agent.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

 

SECTION 7.1 EVIDENCE OF ACTION TAKEN BY SECURITYHOLDERS .  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee.  Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

 

SECTION 7.2 PROOF OF EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND OF HOLDING OF SECURITIES .  Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the execution of any

 

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instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved 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 Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof.

 

SECTION 7.3 HOLDERS TO BE TREATED AS OWNERS .  The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Unregistered Security and the Holder of any Coupon as the absolute owner of such Unregistered Security or Coupon (whether or not such Unregistered Security or Coupon shall be overdue) for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes, and neither the Issuer, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.  All such payments so made to any such person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Unregistered Security or Coupon.

 

SECTION 7.4 SECURITIES OWNED BY ISSUER DEEMED NOT OUTSTANDING .  In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by Securityholders under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such action only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities.  In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice.  Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officer’s Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, 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 Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

 

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SECTION 7.5 RIGHT OF REVOCATION OF ACTION TAKEN .  At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security.  Except as aforesaid, any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security.  Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 8.1 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS .  The Issuer, when authorized by a Board Resolution (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for one or more of the following purposes:

 

(a)            to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets;

 

(b)            to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article IX;

 

(c)            to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuer and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities or Coupons, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default;

 

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(d)            to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provisions as the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable, provided, that no such action shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities or Coupons;

 

(e)            to establish the forms or terms of Securities of any series or of the Coupons appertaining to such Securities as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3;

 

(f)             to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.12; and

 

(g)            to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, or to add any new provision to this Indenture, in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, however, that any such change, elimination or addition shall not apply to any Security Outstanding on the date of such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 8.2.

 

SECTION 8.2 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF SECURITYHOLDERS .

 

(A) Except as set forth in paragraph (C) below, with the consent (evidenced as provided in Article VII) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series of Senior Securities affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer, when authorized by a Board Resolution (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force and effect at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series or of the Coupons appertaining to such Securities.

 

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(B) Except as set forth in paragraph (C) below, with the consent (evidenced as provided in Article VII) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series of Subordinated Securities affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer, when authorized by a Board Resolution (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in force and effect at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series or of the Coupons appertaining to such Securities.

 

(C) No such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or premium thereon, if any, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or premium thereon, if any, or interest thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities and Coupons or in accordance with the terms thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2, or in the case of Subordinated Securities of any series, modify any of the Subordination Provisions or the definition of “Senior Indebtedness” relating to such series in a manner adverse to the holders of such Subordinated Securities, or alter the provisions of Section 11.11 or 11.12 or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof when due or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment at the option of the Securityholder, in each case without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected.

 

(D) A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series, or of Coupons appertaining to such Securities, with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series or of the Coupons appertaining to such Securities.

 

Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Securities as aforesaid and other

 

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documents, if any, required by Section 7.1, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture 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 supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.

 

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall give notice thereof (i) to the Holders of then Outstanding Registered Securities of each series affected thereby, by mailing a notice thereof by first-class mail to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security register, (ii) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected thereby are then Outstanding, to the Holders thereof who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, by mailing a notice thereof by first-class mail to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee and (iii) if any Unregistered Securities of a series affected thereby are then Outstanding, to all Holders thereof, by publication of a notice thereof at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), and in each case such notice shall set forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.  Any failure of the Issuer to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 

SECTION 8.3 EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE .  Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby 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 supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

SECTION 8.4 DOCUMENTS TO BE GIVEN TO TRUSTEE .  The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article VIII complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 8.5 NOTATION ON SECURITIES IN RESPECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES .  Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by Securityholders.  If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such

 

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supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

 

SECTION 9.1 ISSUER MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS .  The Issuer shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Issuer shall not permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Issuer, unless:

 

(a)            either the Issuer shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Issuer substantially as an entirety are transferred or leased shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Issuer under the Securities and this Indenture; and

 

(b)            immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Issuer or a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Issuer or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing.

 

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SECTION 9.2 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED .  The successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such transfer or lease is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Issuer herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease to another Person) the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities and, in the event of such conveyance or transfer, any such predecessor corporation may be dissolved and liquidated.

 

SECTION 9.3 OPINION OF COUNSEL TO BE GIVEN TO TRUSTEE .  The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, and any such assumption, complies with the provisions of this Article IX.

 

ARTICLE X

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

 

SECTION 10.1 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE .

 

(A)           If at any time (i) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest on all the Securities of any series Outstanding hereunder and all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (other than Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (ii) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (other than any Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) or (iii) in the case of any series of Securities where the exact amount (including the currency of payment) of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (b) below, (a) all the Securities of such series and all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (b) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust the entire amount, if any, in (i) cash (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.4), (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit (“U.S. Government Obligations”), maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash sufficient to pay at such maturity or upon such redemption, as the case may be, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (x) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto on each date that such principal or interest is due and payable and (y) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are

 

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due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such Series and of Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to Section 2.8 and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons, (iii) rights of holders of Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) any optional redemption rights of such series of Securities to the extent to be exercised to make such call for redemption within one year, (v) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, including those under Section 6.6, (vi) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them, and (vii) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture; provided, that the rights of Holders of the Securities and Coupons to receive amounts in respect of principal of and interest on the Securities and Coupons held by them shall not be delayed longer than required by then-applicable mandatory rules or policies of any securities exchange upon which the Securities are listed.  The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities of such series.

 

(B)            The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of each series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 2.3.  In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, in the case of any series of Securities the exact amounts (including the currency of payment) of principal of and interest due on which can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in clause (a) below, the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series and the Coupons appertaining thereto on the date of the deposit referred to in clause (a) below, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series and of Coupons appertaining thereto pursuant to Section 2.8 and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or Coupons, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities and Coupons appertaining thereto to receive payments of principal thereof and interest thereon, upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) any optional redemption rights of such series of Securities to the extent to be exercised to make such call for redemption within one year, (v) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (vi) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vii) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2) and the Trustee, at the

 

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expense of the Issuer, shall at the Issuer’s request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if

 

(a)            with reference to this provision the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto on each date that such principal or interest is due and payable and (b) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series;

 

(b)            such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(c)            the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling or (y) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable United States Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred; and

 

(d)            the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this provision have been complied with.

 

(C)            The Issuer shall be released from its obligations under Sections 3.6 and 9.1 and unless otherwise provided for in the Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or Indenture supplemental hereto establishing such series of Securities, from all covenants and other obligations referred to in Section 2.3(19) or 2.3(21) with respect to such series of Securities, and any Coupons appertaining thereto, outstanding on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”).  For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Issuer may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in such Section, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to such Section or by reason of any reference in such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 5.1, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Coupons shall be

 

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unaffected thereby.  The following shall be the conditions to application of this subsection C of this Section 10.1:

 

(a)            The Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series and coupons appertaining thereto, (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) in the case of any series of Securities the payments on which may only be made in Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal and interest on all Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereof and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series;

 

(b)            No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

 

(c)            Such covenant defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 6.9 and for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the Issuer;

 

(d)            Such covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(e)            Such covenant defeasance shall not cause any Securities then listed on any registered national securities exchange under the Exchange Act to be delisted;

 

(f)             The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the Securities of such series and Coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(g)            The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the covenant defeasance contemplated by this provision have been complied with.

 

SECTION 10.2 APPLICATION BY TRUSTEE OF FUNDS DEPOSITED FOR PAYMENT OF SECURITIES .  Subject to Section 10.4, all moneys deposited with the Trustee (or other trustee) pursuant to Section 10.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own

 

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paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series and of Coupons appertaining thereto for the payment or redemption of which such moneys have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

SECTION 10.3 REPAYMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT .  In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.

 

SECTION 10.4 RETURN OF MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT UNCLAIMED FOR TWO YEARS .  Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and of any Coupons attached thereto and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Securities of such series and of any Coupons appertaining thereto shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease; provided, that the Trustee or such paying agent, before being required to make any such repayment with respect to moneys deposited with it for any payment (a) in respect of Registered Securities of any series, shall at the expense of the Issuer, mail by first-class mail to Holders of such Securities at their addresses as they shall appear on the Security register, and (b) in respect of Unregistered Securities of any series, shall at the expense of the Issuer cause to the published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), notice, that such moneys remain and that, after  a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.

 

SECTION 10.5 INDEMNITY FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT OF OBLIGATIONS .  The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.1 or the principal or interest received in respect of such obligations.

 

SECTION 10.6 EFFECT ON SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS .  Unless otherwise expressly established pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any series, the provisions of Section 11.13 hereof, insofar as they pertain to the Subordinated Securities of such series, and the Subordination Provisions established pursuant to Section 2.3(9) with respect to such series, are hereby expressly made subject to the provisions for satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant defeasance set forth in Section 10.1 hereof and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the effectiveness of such

 

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satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant  defeasance pursuant to Section 10.1 with respect to the Securities of such series, such Securities shall thereupon cease to be so subordinated and shall no longer be subject to the provisions of  Section 11.13 or the Subordination Provisions established pursuant to Section 2.3(9) with respect to such series and, without limitation to the foregoing, all moneys, U.S. Government Obligations and other securities or property deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) in trust in connection with such satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, and all proceeds therefrom may be applied to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, with respect to the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.13 or such Subordination Provisions.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 11.1 INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF ISSUER EXEMPT FROM INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY .  No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities and the Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities and the Coupons appertaining thereto.

 

SECTION 11.2 PROVISIONS OF INDENTURE FOR THE SOLE BENEFIT OF PARTIES AND HOLDERS OF SECURITIES AND COUPONS .  Nothing in this Indenture, in the Securities or in the Coupons appertaining thereto, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties thereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities or Coupons, if any and, in the case of the Subordinated Securities of any series, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities or Coupons, if any and, in the case of the Subordinated Securities of any series, the holders of Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series.

 

SECTION 11.3 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF ISSUER BOUND BY INDENTURE .  All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 11.4 NOTICES AND DEMANDS ON ISSUER, TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS OF SECURITIES AND COUPONS .  Any notice or demand which by any

 

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provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or Coupons, if any, to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to DineEquity, Inc., 450 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale, California 91203, Attention:  Secretary.  Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder of Securities or Coupons, if any, to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Trustee is filed by the Trustee with the Issuer) to [                            ].

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Registered Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice to holders of Unregistered Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) by giving notice to such Holders (a) by publication of such notice at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, once in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), and (b) by mailing such notice to the Holders of Unregistered Securities who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee.

 

In any case where notice to such Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.  Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon facsimile transmission of written instructions and/or directions pursuant to this Indenture given by the Company, provided, however that (i) the Company, subsequent to such facsimile transmission of written instructions and/or directions, shall provide the originally executed instructions and/or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner and (ii) such originally executed instructions and/or directions shall be signed by an authorized officer of the Company.

 

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer when such notice is required to the given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

 

SECTION 11.5 OFFICER’S CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS OF COUNSEL; STATEMENTS TO BE CONTAINED THEREIN .  Upon any application or

 

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demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.  Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters or information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

 

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion of or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that  the same are erroneous.

 

Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with and directed to the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

 

SECTION 11.6 PAYMENTS DUE ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS .  If the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or any Coupons appertaining thereto or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security or Coupon shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same

 

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force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

 

SECTION 11.7 CONFLICT OF ANY PROVISION OF INDENTURE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT .  If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “incorporated provision”) included in this Indenture by operation of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

 

SECTION 11.8 NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURITY AND COUPON SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW AND NEW YORK CIVIL PRACTICE LAWS AND RULES 327(b).

 

EACH OF THE ISSUER 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 OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.9 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 11.10 EFFECT OF HEADINGS .  The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 11.11 SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY .  Unless otherwise specified in an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any series which are denominated in a Foreign Currency, then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate.  For purposes of this Section 11.11, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date.  If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or quotations from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of the euro shall be any member state of the European Union that

 

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has adopted the euro, as the Trustee shall deem appropriate.  The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Issuer and all Holders.

 

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SECTION 11.12 JUDGMENT CURRENCY .  The Issuer agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

 

SECTION 11.13 AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE .  The Issuer, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Subordinated Securities of any series by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, in respect of each and all of the Subordinated Securities of such series shall be expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Subordination Provisions established with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.3(9) hereof, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness with respect to such series.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 12.1 APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE .  The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 12.2 NOTICE OF REDEMPTION; PARTIAL REDEMPTIONS .  Notice of redemption to the Holders of Registered Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption

 

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by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books.  Notice of redemption to the Holders of Unregistered Securities to be redeemed as a whole or in part, who have filed their names and addresses with the Trustee pursuant to Section 313(c)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 prior to the date fixed for redemption, to such Holders at such addresses as were so furnished to the Trustee (and, in the case of any such notice given by the Issuer, the Trustee shall make such information available to the Issuer for such purpose).  Notice of redemption to all other Holders of Unregistered Securities shall be published in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and in an Authorized Newspaper in London (and, if required by Section 3.7, in an Authorized Newspaper in Luxembourg), in each case, once in each of three successive calendar weeks, the first publication to be not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.  Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of such Security of such series.

 

The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP number(s), if any) and specify the aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities and, in the case of Securities with Coupons attached thereto, of all Coupons appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue.  In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption to Holders of Securities of the series shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

 

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

 

On or before the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.4) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.  The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 70 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, or such shorter period as shall be acceptable to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed.  In case of a redemption at the election of the Issuer prior to the expiration of any

 

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restriction on such redemption, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officer’s Certificate stating that such restriction has been complied with.

 

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deemed appropriate and fair, in its sole discretion, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or in part.  Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.  For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 12.3 PAYMENT OF SECURITIES CALLED FOR REDEMPTION .  If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and the unmatured Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto shall be void, and, except as provided in Sections 6.5 and 10.4, such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption.  On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, together with all Coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the date fixed for redemption, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided, that payment of interest becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable in the case of Securities with Coupons attached thereto, to the Holders of the Coupons for such interest upon surrender thereof, and in the case of Registered Securities, to the Holder of such Registered Securities registered as such on the relevant record date, subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.3 and 2.7 hereof.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security.

 

If any Security with Coupons attached thereto is surrendered for redemption and is not accompanied by all appurtenant Coupons maturing after the date fixed for redemption, the surrender of such missing Coupon or Coupons may be waived by the Issuer and the Trustee, if there be furnished to each of them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them harmless.

 

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Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 

SECTION 12.4 EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES FROM ELIGIBILITY FOR SELECTION FOR REDEMPTION .  Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.

 

SECTION 12.5 MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUNDS .  The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”  The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date.”

 

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series.  Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.

 

On or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (which need not contain the statements required by Section 11.5) (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date.  Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officer’s Certificate (or reasonably promptly

 

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thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee).  Such Officer’s Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee, the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date.  Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officer’s Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.

 

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) or a lesser sum in Dollars (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) if the Issuer shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.  If such amount shall be $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) or less and the Issuer makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any Foreign Currency) is available.  The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 12.2, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected.  Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for redemption under this Section if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such Officer’s Certificate as directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.  The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 12.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 12.3) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer.  The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section.  Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.

 

On or before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.

 

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The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the giving of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption.  Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default be deemed to have been collected under Article Five and held for the payment of all such Securities.  In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.10 or the default cured on or before the sixtieth day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities.

 

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

 

 

DINEEQUITY, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[                              ], as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 




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Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP]

July 28, 2009

DineEquity, Inc.
450 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, California 91203

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3 of DineEquity, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special counsel to DineEquity, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Registration Statement relates to, among other things, the issuance and sale from time to time by the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Act, of the following securities of the Company with an aggregate offering price of up to $200,000,000: (i) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), in one or more series; (iii) fractional shares of the Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Receipts"), which may be issued pursuant to one or more deposit agreements (each, a "Deposit Agreement"), proposed to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company to be named (the "Depositary"); (iv) senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities (collectively, the "Debt Securities"), which may be issued in one or more series pursuant to an indenture proposed to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trustee to be named (the "Trustee"), a form of which is being filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the "Indenture"); (v) subscription rights (the "Subscription Rights") to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or other securities, which may be issued under one or more subscription rights certificates (each, a "Subscription Rights Certificate") and/or pursuant to one or more subscription rights agreements (each, a "Subscription Rights Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more subscription agents to be named therein (each, a "Subscription Agent"); (vi) warrants ("Warrants") to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Depositary Shares pursuant to one or more warrant agreements (each, a "Warrant Agreement") proposed to be entered into between the Company and one or more warrant agents to be named (each, a "Warrant Agent"); (vii) stock purchase contracts ("Stock Purchase Contracts") obligating the holders thereof to purchase from or sell to the Company, and the Company to sell to or purchase from such holders, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities or securities issued by third parties at a future date or dates, which may be issued under one or more purchase contract agreements (each, a "Stock Purchase Contract Agreement") proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more purchase contract agents to be named (each, a "Stock Purchase Contract Agent"); and (viii) stock purchase units ("Stock Purchase Units"), each representing ownership of a Stock Purchase Contract and any of the Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties, including United States Treasury securities, in each case securing an obligation of the holder thereof to purchase or to sell, as the case may be, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Debt Securities under such holder's Stock Purchase Contract, which may be issued under one or more agreements (each, a "Stock Purchase Unit Agreement") proposed to be entered into by the Company and one or more agents to be named (each, a "Stock Purchase Unit Agent"). The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares, the Debt Securities, the Subscription Rights, the Warrants, the Stock Purchase Contracts and the Stock Purchase Units are collectively referred to herein as the "Offered Securities."

        This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.


        In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following:

        We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth below.

        In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic, electronic or facsimile copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials. In making our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had or will have the power, corporate or otherwise, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and, as to parties other than the Company, the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. We have also assumed that each of the Deposit Agreements, the Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer's certificate relating to the Indenture, the Subscription Rights Agreements, the Subscription Rights Certificates, the Warrant Agreements, the Stock Purchase Contract Agreements and the Stock Purchase Unit Agreements will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Depositaries, the Trustee, the Subscription Agents, the Warrant Agents, the Stock Purchase Contract Agents and the Stock Purchase Unit Agents, as the case may be, and that any Receipts, Debt Securities, Subscription Rights, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts or Stock Purchase Units that may be issued will be manually authenticated, signed or countersigned, as the case may be, by duly authorized officers of the Depositaries, the Trustee, the Subscription Agents, the Warrant Agents, the Stock Purchase Contract Agents or the Stock Purchase Unit Agents, as the case may be. In addition, we have assumed that the terms of the Offered Securities will have been established so as not to, and that the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance of its obligations under, the Offered Securities, the Deposit Agreements, the Indenture and any supplemental indenture or officer's certificate relating to the Indenture, the Subscription Rights Agreements, the Subscription Rights Certificates, the Warrant Agreements, the Stock Purchase Contract Agreements and the Stock Purchase Unit Agreements, will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or any of its properties is subject, (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority, or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority. We have assumed that New York law will be chosen to govern the Deposit Agreements, the Subscription Rights Agreements, the Warrant Agreements, the

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Stock Purchase Contract Agreements and the Stock Purchase Unit Agreements, and that such choice is a valid and legal provision.

        Our opinions set forth below are limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") and those laws of the State of New York that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as "Opined on Law"). We do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined on Law on the opinions herein stated. Insofar as the opinions expressed herein relate to matters governed by laws other than Opined on Law, we have assumed, without having made independent investigations, that such laws do not affect any of the opinions set forth herein. The Offered Securities may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.

        Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

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        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

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Exhibit 12.1

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

 
   
   
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  Three
Months ended
March 31, 2009
  Three
Months ended
March 31, 2008
 
 
  2008   2007   2006   2005   2004  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Earnings:

                                           
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

  $ 53,884   $ 15,338   $ (188,157 ) $ (2,705 ) $ 72,850   $ 70,866   $ 54,167  
 

Plus: Fixed charges

    69,598     71,443     278,465     75,331     53,037     54,236     52,036  
 

Plus: Amortization of capitalized interest(a)

                             
 

Less: Interest capitalized(a)

                             
 

Less: Preference security dividends

    (7,704 )   (5,836 )   (17,940 )   (960 )            
                               

Total earnings

  $ 115,779   $ 80,946   $ 72,368   $ 71,666   $ 125,887   $ 125,102   $ 106,203  
                               

Fixed charges:

                                           
 

Total interest expense, including amortization of debt discount and issuance costs(b)

  $ 53,681   $ 56,059   $ 224,334   $ 50,016   $ 29,845   $ 30,427   $ 28,147  
 

Interest capitalized(a)

                             
 

Estimated interest within rent expense(c)

    8,214     9,549     36,191     24,355     23,192     23,809     23,889  
 

Preference security dividends

    7,704     5,836     17,940     960              
                               

Total fixed charges

  $ 69,598   $ 71,443   $ 278,465   $ 75,331   $ 53,037   $ 54,236   $ 52,036  
                               

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(d)

    1.66     1.13     0.26     0.95     2.37     2.31     2.04  
                               

(a)
De minimis for all periods presented.

(b)
Excludes interest expense on uncertain tax positions which the Registrant has elected to treat as a component of income tax expense.

(c)
The Registrant determined that 1 / 3 of rent expense represents a reasonable approximation of the interest component.

(d)
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $206,097,000 and $3,665,000, respectively.



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Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of DineEquity, Inc. for the registration of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 25, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of DineEquity, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of DineEquity, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

July 27, 2009

Los Angeles, California




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Exhibit 23.2

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 28, 2007 (October 29, 2007 as to the effects of the discontinued operations discussed in Note 6), relating to the consolidated financial statements of Applebee's International, Inc. and subsidiaries (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding a change in accounting for stock-based compensation upon adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment ) for the year ended December 31, 2006 appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Applebee's International, Inc. and subsidiaries dated October 29, 2007 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
July 27, 2009




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